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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be off work sick with a cold for a week?

163 replies

doi24 · 02/10/2023 07:56

I feel like I'm being dramatic but I still don't feel well and I'm meant to be due back at work. I've still got the cold, just obviously not as bad as it's been a few days, but I feel absolutely knackered and wiped out from it. The thought of doing a full days work right now just makes me feel worse. My head feels fuzzy and I feel exhausted.

I'm convinced it's possibly been covid I've had, as I've never been this ill from a cold before. Was actually debating whether or not to go to the doctors but obvs don't want to waste their time if it's just a cold.

AIBU? I feel like I just need to suck it up and get on with it.

OP posts:
Bubbleses · 02/10/2023 08:49

what is your job? Can you work from home instead?
if you are required to go in and can’t work from home I don’t think anyone would thank you for coming in with a cold and potentially spreading it! So I would definitely take sick leave unless you can work from home (and feel up to it)

thecatsthecats · 02/10/2023 08:49

doi24 · 02/10/2023 08:20

@puppygalore I think that's if it's pregnancy related the reason that you're absent

I've had a few one off absences through this pregnancy which I've been careful to report as pregnancy-related.

You could call them just insomnia, migraine etc - but you say this cold felt different and for me the insomnia etc felt different. The migraine was especially bad because I couldn't keep any fluids down to manage it.

And I'm going back online today after two days off with a cold! I couldn't sleep because I couldn't take the good medicines, and because my big fat baby was squishing the remaining air out of my lungs.

NameChangeAsICouldBeOverReacting · 02/10/2023 08:49

@Alargeoneplease89 a couple of my friends have covid atm and all the women are testing negative, but their partners are testing positive! So you may have had it, but it’s not being picked up on a test.

wrongwithme · 02/10/2023 08:50

If you're sick, you're sick. Doesn't matter what it is.

spitefulandbadgrammar · 02/10/2023 08:52

fuacks · 02/10/2023 08:42

If you were self employed, you'd not be asking this question.

Well, no, because she wouldn’t have a draconian sickness policy against herself. Also, she isn’t self-employed so it’s irrelevant.

Original poster
doi24 · 02/10/2023 08:54

I can work from home but have felt that ill that not even been able to do that

OP posts:
StillWantingADog · 02/10/2023 08:55

I’ve just had the same and struggled
to leave the house last week. I barely got out of bed one day and therefore took a day sick, the rest of the week I did work but I wfh and managed to avoid client meetings so it was just about ok, if not particularly productive. I was lucky in that it was a relatively quiet week for me, which is rare. So I got done what I had to.

Yanbu if you had what I had and have to go in.

AussieManque · 02/10/2023 08:56

@Dibbydoos your immune system never paused during lockdown, it doesn't need to "restart". Your immune system is not a muscle that needs constant exercise through infection to stay strong. In addition there is evidence that COVID damages our immune systems thus making us more likely to catch other things (think of the boom in Strep A in the last year).

Given the choice between exposure to viruses or none, it's best not to be exposed. Even a normal cold can have unforseen consequences for your health if you are unlucky.

MyCircumference · 02/10/2023 08:58

we get 5 days for covid now
then back to work
so i wouldnt be in a hurry to say its covid

make sure you are fit to return

SnapdragonToadflax · 02/10/2023 09:00

Just rest and get better. Your immune system can be compromised in pregnancy so you take longer to recover, and if it is Covid (and it probably is, but do take a test so you know) it can be dangerous in pregnancy. I assume you're vaccinated?

I had a couple of bad colds when I was pregnant (pre-Covid) and they were hideous, both turned into chest infections and I had more than a week off both times. I remember trying to struggle through but it just wasn't possible, especially as you can't take any decent medication when you're pregnant! Go back to bed.

Livingtothefull · 02/10/2023 09:02

doi24 · 02/10/2023 08:00

The general attitude at my work is to just get on wjth it and work. Which I would usually be able to do with other colds I've had, but this feels different

Your workplace sounds awful. And it is usually just this kind of employer who is intolerant of mistakes being made by employees who are working when ill.

nopuppiesallowed · 02/10/2023 09:02

My daughter has had this dreadful 'cold' going around. She eventually tested. Positive. So glad I've been ultra careful and not been to see her as I visit my dad who's in a care home....

Takeabreather23 · 02/10/2023 09:05

Yes your doctor will give you a Sick line for your work . Even if you don’t have a chest infection for example.
Your feeling too sick to work this doesn’t mean a doctor is overly concerned about you as they have people who need the appointments more .

The doctor may want to see you since your pregnant , also doctors likes to see people with throat infections as this can be life threatening if it turns nasty ( not common)

ActDottie · 02/10/2023 09:06

I’m pregnant and that alone has been enough to stop me working, still have morning sickness at 25 weeks and the tiredness is out of this world! So I can only imagine if I had a cold too I’d be completely wiped out.

MiddleParking · 02/10/2023 09:09

MyCircumference · 02/10/2023 08:58

we get 5 days for covid now
then back to work
so i wouldnt be in a hurry to say its covid

make sure you are fit to return

That’s not how sickness absence works. You shouldn’t believe your employer that it is.

dothehokeycokey · 02/10/2023 09:20

@doi24

I've just had to take a week off with the worst bloody viral thing and cold ever

I've tested negative for covid every day even though the rest of the family and close family have been positive for it

It's been horrendous. On day 8 and although I'm a lot better than I was I'm so bloody shattered and my sinuses are so bunged up I'm using sinus spray and still loading up on meds.

My joints and limbs hurt but I'm self employed so there's no option to take anymore time off.

I'm dreading the winter already

Rosscameasdoody · 02/10/2023 09:33

puppygalore · 02/10/2023 08:20

I think in pregnancy they legally can't count absences against you? Something like that! Have a google about it. Your priority is to rest OP, don't go back too soon.

This only applies to pregnancy related sickness. The employer must record pregnancy related sickness absence seperately from normal sick days taken and pregnancy related sick days cannot be counted towards triggering sickness related disciplinary procedures.

OP I’d get yourself checked out by your GP to find out if it can be regarded as pregnancy related and then have a look at the Equality Act 2010 to familiarise yourself with your protected rights at work during pregnancy. Was any earlier period of sickness pregnancy related - morning sickness for example. If so they can’t count that either.

Original poster
doi24 · 02/10/2023 09:35

Covid test is negative.. either way I'm still going to ring my GP as I need a sick note from tomorrow. Hopefully I will be able to get one

OP posts:
Rosscameasdoody · 02/10/2023 09:35

Livingtothefull · 02/10/2023 09:02

Your workplace sounds awful. And it is usually just this kind of employer who is intolerant of mistakes being made by employees who are working when ill.

Show quote history

And usually this type of employer won’t be aware, or care, that pregnant employees have protected rights at work.

Cowlover89 · 02/10/2023 09:37

ReviewingTheSituation · 02/10/2023 08:37

If you've been off for 4 days then it's simple. You self certify for another day.

But if you're likely to need another day (and assuming that it will have been a calendar week that you'll have been off) then you'll need a note from the doctor. I imagine the first thing they'll ask is whether you've tested for covid, given your symptoms, so I'd do that today.

You can self cert for 7 days now

Cowlover89 · 02/10/2023 09:40

Rosscameasdoody · 02/10/2023 09:33

This only applies to pregnancy related sickness. The employer must record pregnancy related sickness absence seperately from normal sick days taken and pregnancy related sick days cannot be counted towards triggering sickness related disciplinary procedures.

OP I’d get yourself checked out by your GP to find out if it can be regarded as pregnancy related and then have a look at the Equality Act 2010 to familiarise yourself with your protected rights at work during pregnancy. Was any earlier period of sickness pregnancy related - morning sickness for example. If so they can’t count that either.

Show quote history

Anything that's pregnancy related counts not just sickness

Webex · 02/10/2023 09:40

I was off for a week with a cold late last year and literally was texting my boss saying sorry I can't believe I am still off with a cold but I feel dreadful - turned out it was pneumonia!

YukoandHiro · 02/10/2023 09:42

doi24 · 02/10/2023 08:13

Just worried about having more absences. My work use the Bradford Factor, I had a couple of days of earlier this year as I've suffered from recurring tonsillitis and I'm worried I'll get a disciplinary

You're pregnant.

Just get a note from the doctor saying you need extra rest to aid recovery due to the pregnancy. Definitely do the Covid test as if it is the doctor will sign you off to ensure good recovery as it can affect the placenta.

If the GP Links it to pregnancy in the note it doesn't count towards your overall sickness record

nutellacrepe · 02/10/2023 09:43

If you're unwell then you can't work.

I don't understand these threads where grown adults ask permission or other people's thoughts about working when they are ill.

You are an adult, surely you know if you're too ill.

If your employer isn't understanding of that then you need to find a better employer.

DotAndCarryOne2 · 02/10/2023 09:43

doi24 · 02/10/2023 09:35

Covid test is negative.. either way I'm still going to ring my GP as I need a sick note from tomorrow. Hopefully I will be able to get one

If you get to see your GP, or even a phone consultation, make sure you explain your symptoms fully and ask if it could be related to the pregnancy. It’s possible you’ve had flu.

Flu, or even a cold, can be much worse and last longer if you’re pregnant as your body is busy supplying blood to your baby, so you’re open to more severe symptoms of this kind of illness. If this is the case then it’s pregnancy related and the number of days you are sick can’t be counted towards sick leave that would trigger a review or disciplinary sickness procedure.

Also, you say that you’ve had earlier sick days - were these while you were pregnant, or related to morning sickness etc,. If so, the same thing applies. You have protected rights in the workplace during pregnancy as stipulated in the Equality Act 2010. Your employer doesn’t sound the best, so check out your rights under the Act here. https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwih2J3--9aBAxUhoFwKHQqXB98QFnoECAgQAw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmaternityaction.org.uk%2Fadvice%2Fpregnancy-discrimination%2F%23%3A~%3Atext%3DThe%2520Equality%2520Act%25202010%252C%2520section%2Cleave%2520(see%2520questions%2520above).&usg=AOvVaw26qQ75WPqfd2lA4ctUCviU&opi=89978449

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwih2J3--9aBAxUhoFwKHQqXB98QFnoECAgQAw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmaternityaction.org.uk%2Fadvice%2Fpregnancy-discrimination%2F%23%3A~%3Atext%3DThe%2520Equality%2520Act%25202010%252C%2520section%2Cleave%2520(see%2520questions%2520above).&usg=AOvVaw26qQ75WPqfd2lA4ctUCviU&opi=89978449