Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if you would go into work with this?

44 replies

dooberydah · 05/12/2023 22:16

Hypothetical (because this was me, today, and I did go to work and didn’t think twice about not going)

If you had a quick-onset virus, as in, fine one day and symptoms rapidly develop from that evening into feeling terrible when you wake up the next day. Would you go to work (or if it was DC, send them to school?)

In myself I have felt mostly fine if a little chilly at times, but I have been streaming today. I haven’t been able to stop my nose running and sneezing loads, as well as very watery eyes which looks a bit like I am crying.

I can work from home tomorrow so not a big deal with that but I am now hoping I didn’t pass anything on to colleagues - if it is just a cold it’s particularly unpleasant! I really hate phoning in sick for trivial things too and would never if I could avoid it in case I really need to one day.

What would you have done with those symptoms?

OP posts:
Rollinghill · 05/12/2023 22:19

No. If you feel terrible (and get sick pay) why would you?

Inkypot · 05/12/2023 22:19

I would have stayed home and worked from home if possible. I have a relative receiving palliative care at the moment at home and could never be so selfish as to trek into work and knowingly share a virus with my team. I don't know all their home lives but I wouldn't risk passing it on in case they too have someone vulnerable in their own lives. Clearly the Covid years taught some people absolutely nothing which is truly disappointing.

Original poster
dooberydah · 05/12/2023 22:24

Rollinghill · 05/12/2023 22:19

No. If you feel terrible (and get sick pay) why would you?

I do get full sick pay but nobody could’ve covered me today really which would’ve meant things would have been cancelled or rescheduled for people. Not majorly significant just annoying for them and I hate letting people down.

Also as far as I know after four periods of absence in a twelve month period it gets looked into. I had the flu last December and a pregnancy loss at the beginning of the year which I had a week off for. Would hate for people to think me being off is a regular occasion

OP posts:
snoopyfanaccountant · 05/12/2023 22:27

The company I work for only has 8 of us on the team (4 on the payroll, 3 self-employed consultants and the boss). The boss's wife had an organ transplant a number of years ago and is vulnerable, his PA has had cancer so is vulnerable and also cares for a parent in their 90s, and one of the consultants has health issues.
Pre-covid I dragged myself into the office unless I physically couldn't get out of bed. Now I WFH if I have more than a mild cold; I couldn't forgive myself if I passed something on to these vulnerable people.

Invisimamma · 05/12/2023 22:30

If you were my colleague be really cross that you came in and potentially infected me, and then my family. Especially so close to Christmas when we have lots of plans and paid for events.

If you're not well, anything beyond a slight sniffle you should stay at home if you can.

Original poster
dooberydah · 05/12/2023 22:37

I do feel bad but I can also imagine they might think it was a bit weird if I was off for a simple cold

OP posts:
Mariposista · 05/12/2023 22:47

In these circumstances, it would depend whether or not I felt well enough to be at work and perform productively.
In my actual case I have to go in unless I am literally projectile vomiting, covered in blood or unconscious as I am SE - no work = no pay. Had to do a 4 day conference last year with a fever and literally the worst cold I have had in my life. That was fun - not.

verrymerryberry · 05/12/2023 22:50

I'm a teacher and unless I cannot get out of bed I will go to work. Not because I'm a martyr but our policy is strict -we have to call the headteacher her to report absence before 7.30am and then three absences in 12 months then an absence warning. Who wants to ring the top boss for a cold? Crackers!

I've already had two period of two days for dental surgery (one emergency and one planned)

So yes I'm coming spreading my foul air unless I can just call my immediate line manager or even her boss.

ilovemyspace · 05/12/2023 22:50

Tbh, I think if you had symptoms of 'feeling terrible when you wake up the next day, then you should have been considerate enough of your fellow co-workers to not want to pass it on by going into work.

'Would hate for people to think me being off is a regular occasion' makes me think that you care far more about people's opinion of you, than about their welfare.

To answer your question: I would have stayed away from work and would have rung in to explain why I wouldn't be in and would have said ' but I would hate for people to think me being off is a regular occasion'

Original poster
dooberydah · 05/12/2023 22:50

Mariposista · 05/12/2023 22:47

In these circumstances, it would depend whether or not I felt well enough to be at work and perform productively.
In my actual case I have to go in unless I am literally projectile vomiting, covered in blood or unconscious as I am SE - no work = no pay. Had to do a 4 day conference last year with a fever and literally the worst cold I have had in my life. That was fun - not.

I can’t really smell/taste anything and one side of my face is really puffy and swollen from where my eye and nose have just been watering all day. I am full of it! I’ve got through so many tissues. I feel for you being self employed that must be tough as you must know if you decide to not work, no pay and the work doesn’t get done

OP posts:
Mariposista · 05/12/2023 22:52

dooberydah · 05/12/2023 22:50

I can’t really smell/taste anything and one side of my face is really puffy and swollen from where my eye and nose have just been watering all day. I am full of it! I’ve got through so many tissues. I feel for you being self employed that must be tough as you must know if you decide to not work, no pay and the work doesn’t get done

Show quote history

@dooberydah that's it.
It I had got the pay anyhow, despite being sick, I would have considered not going in and it is understandable of you to WFH or take a sick day. But sadly the mortgage doesn't pay itself. I would only cancel on work in very very specific circumstances when I physically couldn't get myself there or would not be able to perform at all.

ilovemyspace · 05/12/2023 22:54

Mariposista · 05/12/2023 22:47

In these circumstances, it would depend whether or not I felt well enough to be at work and perform productively.
In my actual case I have to go in unless I am literally projectile vomiting, covered in blood or unconscious as I am SE - no work = no pay. Had to do a 4 day conference last year with a fever and literally the worst cold I have had in my life. That was fun - not.

And how many other people are you passing this on to just because you can't afford to not work.

You don't know what effect this has on other people's lives ..............
but as long as you're ok that's fine?

Beautifulsunflowers · 05/12/2023 22:54

Pre covid everyone went into work with a cold. Now we doubt ourselves.

Mariposista · 05/12/2023 22:55

ilovemyspace · 05/12/2023 22:54

And how many other people are you passing this on to just because you can't afford to not work.

You don't know what effect this has on other people's lives ..............
but as long as you're ok that's fine?

Show quote history

well those people aren't going to pay my bills are they? What do I do - explain to the bank oh sorry I will have to default because I was protecting others? Reckon I'd be laughed out of there with a poor credit rating haha

Merryoldgoat · 05/12/2023 22:57

I stay home if I feel too ill to work, if I have unpleasant (for others) symptoms regardless of how I feel (lots of sneezing, coughing), or if I’ve vomited.

I can work from home and I get paid sick pay too so I’m in a privileged position.

My workplace treats us like adults though and I’ve had some years of lots of illness and some years of less. Never been questioned other than asked if I’m ok.

margotrose · 05/12/2023 22:58

I would go to work but I'm self-employed and don't have any contact with other people during the day.

If I was employed and got sick pay then I would stay home.

ilovemyspace · 05/12/2023 22:58

Mariposista · 05/12/2023 22:55

well those people aren't going to pay my bills are they? What do I do - explain to the bank oh sorry I will have to default because I was protecting others? Reckon I'd be laughed out of there with a poor credit rating haha

Show quote history

I'm speaking as a self employed person who if I don't work I don't get paid.

Don't get dramatic - the bank will be sympathetic if you have short time difficulty in making payments

Mariposista · 05/12/2023 22:59

ilovemyspace · 05/12/2023 22:58

I'm speaking as a self employed person who if I don't work I don't get paid.

Don't get dramatic - the bank will be sympathetic if you have short time difficulty in making payments

Show quote history

Sure, if you have difficulty caused by a serious medical issue - hospitalisation/incapacitation etc - not a cold haha

ilovemyspace · 05/12/2023 23:01

Beautifulsunflowers · 05/12/2023 22:54

Pre covid everyone went into work with a cold. Now we doubt ourselves.

I don't think it's that's simple.

Covid - ime - has long term effects that a cold doesn't have

purpleme12 · 05/12/2023 23:01

If I feel well enough to go in, I go in.

I I feel too poorly to go in, I don't.

That's the only rules I go by

Wendyspotatopeeler · 05/12/2023 23:02

If I felt OK to drive and work and I was just headachey and snotty, I'd go in. I shared a huge office with one other person and we weren't really close enough to catch anything.
If I've had a bad sleep and really under the weather, I'd be home. So a judgement call on how I felt or which deadlines needed to be met. Always feel guilty when off sick though despite often sleeping most of the day.

ilovemyspace · 05/12/2023 23:02

Mariposista · 05/12/2023 22:59

Sure, if you have difficulty caused by a serious medical issue - hospitalisation/incapacitation etc - not a cold haha

Show quote history

You don't have a clue what you're talking about

olympicsrock · 05/12/2023 23:04

I think you should have stayed at home. People would rather not catch your lurgy and from an economic point of view your boss should support you not spreading it to their workforce

GotTheTshirtx1000 · 05/12/2023 23:04

I go in unless I really can't get out of bed. There are germs everywhere, you could pick something up going to a hospital appointment or the corner shop etc I think as much as we hate passing our germs on we have to get in with life. All we can do is be sensible by throwing away tissues, covering our mouth and regularly washing hands.

PosyPrettyToes · 05/12/2023 23:12

I’m NHS, so the rules for us are pretty strict.

  • Absolutely no going to work unless you’ve been clear of D&V for 48h.
  • No going to work with conjunctivitis
  • Depending what service you work in, you can go in with a cold but not with anything with a fever.
Swipe left for the next trending thread