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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not go into the office

74 replies

GodblessHookyStreet · 03/10/2023 05:56

We have just started returning to the office twice weekly and have been given anchor days for which we can not deviate from one of mine is today.

They are quite strict that we need to go in or if we are unable to due to sickness ,child care issues we simply just can't work from home we need to take it as a day's sickness or emergency holiday.

Yesterday while home working I had severe diarrhoea to the point I shat myself twiceBlush. Don't know if something I eat or a bug but was still able to work as long as I could access a toilet.

I am totally panicking about going into the office and potentially shitting myself but then again I might be ok and better.

I honestly don't know what to do as they are being strict but scared in case of above .

Would IBU to not go in but explain I could still work from home or be honest? I obviously do not want to tell my colleagues I shat myself .

OP posts:
Debini · 03/10/2023 05:56

Get some loperamide and go in.

Hercisback · 03/10/2023 05:57

Phone in saying you have a stomach bug and don't want to share. Say you can WFH or take the day off sick and see what your boss says? No need to be graphic!

Nishky32 · 03/10/2023 05:58

I would be tempted to take as a sick day. I wouldn’t want to sit next to someone with a stomach bug

Yassification100 · 03/10/2023 06:02

Definitely do not go in. If you have a bug you’re risking infecting all of your colleagues (plus the obvious risk that you might have another incident!).

If you feel well otherwise just let your work know you have a stomach bug so won’t be coming in but are capable of working and will do so from home. No need for any more detail than that. If you aren’t feeling well, tell them you’re ill and taking a day of sick leave.

Unless this is happening all the time (in which case you should speak to your GP about a diagnosis) it’s not going to be a problem. Humans get ill sometimes. Working from home is responsible and necessary for infection control.

Skipthisstep82 · 03/10/2023 06:07

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Flipflopflopflip · 03/10/2023 06:09

Don't go in. Ridiculous they say you can't WFH on those office days yet you can others though!

TinySaltLick · 03/10/2023 06:15

Of course don't go in, you are sick! Tell employer you have food poisoning and can't come in

ChChChCherryBomb · 03/10/2023 06:16

Debini · 03/10/2023 05:56

Get some loperamide and go in.

This ^

ChChChCherryBomb · 03/10/2023 06:18

Unless you’ve been bad throughout the night.

RedRosie · 03/10/2023 06:19

This is ridiculous. Just report sick, as you are unwell. People shouldn't work at home if they are sick any more than they should go into the office if they are sick.

Monty27 · 03/10/2023 06:25

You need to call in sick. You just wrote the WFH in your opening post @GodblessHookyStreet .

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 03/10/2023 06:26

You're sick.
Take a sick day.

Whaleandsnail6 · 03/10/2023 06:28

Call in sick as per what they have said. You are too unwell to attend the office so have a sick day.

Dianalouise · 03/10/2023 06:31

RedRosie · 03/10/2023 06:19

This is ridiculous. Just report sick, as you are unwell. People shouldn't work at home if they are sick any more than they should go into the office if they are sick.

Absolutely this

rookiemere · 03/10/2023 06:34

You message your manager and tell them the issue, if they have any sense they will let you wfh.

I'm in a similar situation, been told we absolutely have to be in 2 days a week, but am tired and headachy with possible covid. I can get a bit of work done at home provided I take it easy.

Boss has said absolutely stay at home, but as an inveterate rule follower I feel very uncomfortable about it and worry I'll be pulled up for it in the future.

Monty27 · 03/10/2023 06:34

Monty27 · 03/10/2023 06:25

You need to call in sick. You just wrote the WFH in your opening post @GodblessHookyStreet .

*WFH policy

Gunpowder · 03/10/2023 06:34

Having diarrhea IS sickness. Call in sick. Don’t take loperamide and go in - you’ll give the tummy bug to everyone else. I’m so sorry you work have made you so scared you are contemplating going in even though you are clearly poorly.

Blondebutnotlegally · 03/10/2023 06:38

RedRosie · 03/10/2023 06:19

This is ridiculous. Just report sick, as you are unwell. People shouldn't work at home if they are sick any more than they should go into the office if they are sick.

Sorry what? Sometimes you are too sick to go into work and be comfortable but fine to work at home if possible. The only this ridiculous is this comment!

WeWereInParis · 03/10/2023 06:39

I honestly don't know what to do as they are being strict

They're being strict about when you can and cannot wfh, but you haven't said anything that makes it seem like they are unreasonable about being being ill generally.
They've said that if you're ill, call in sick. Do that. No need to give details, say you have a stomach bug and won't be working.

ActDottie · 03/10/2023 06:51

Just take a sick day

Mindymomo · 03/10/2023 06:55

There’s no way you should go in, when I’ve had tummy bug I need to stay near a toilet for 24 hours, then I would take Imodium but not before and stay away from as many people as possible for 48 hours, as these bugs are very contagious.

Motheranddaughter · 03/10/2023 06:59

I think you have to take a sick day

MoonShinesBright · 03/10/2023 07:08

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fatrascall · 03/10/2023 07:12

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This is an online forum, not someone you know or are sat next to.

OP, take a sick day.

LilyLemonade · 03/10/2023 07:16

Take a sick day!
it’s irrelevant that you feel capable of WFH, they dont want you to, as this will undermine their strict ‘presence on anchor days’ policy. So be it. It’s fine for them to make that policy but then you have to do the logical thing and call in sick.