Empathy fatigue at constant illness at my workplace

[ConstantIllness]

I work for a small charity and there is at least one, usually 2 members of the small team (9 people) off ill at any one time. It means we all have to cover for others workload constantly. Someone has been off for literally months now.

They're all legitimate reasons etc but I'm just so sick of it, and I've run out of sympathy. I feel like a bit of a cow but I just think "here we go again" when I hear someone else has called in sick yet again, rather than I hope they're OK. I like my job and don't want to leave, and I'm rarely ill myself (yes lucky I know) but it feels like the few who aren't ill are just constantly carrying the others. And it's always the same people who are off ill. Aibu?

do you actually think they’re legit reasons? Or just feel like you have to believe them?

What is the impact on the rest of you? Do you have to do more hours?

It's a bit like that with a parallel team to mine at work. They haven't been at full capacity all year due to sickness. As well as that, a number of them have had family bereavements or had to deal with other really stressful situations. Understandably, they're all struggling and it's making for a generally difficult environment as no one has the time or headspace to really make allowances for each other.

There might be chronic health conditions or disabilities at play. You dont have to be sympathetic, just be happy its not you. They likely would much rather wish they could be healthy and normal and work and earn proper money rather than rely on sick pay, getting passed over for promotions and be afraid of losing their jobs. And being thoroughly embarrassed that they're having to be off.

Ive had a lot of sick time this year and will probably have more when Im in treatment. If I manage to keep my job at all.

Theres gonna be loads more of this when the benefits change and disabled people are rammed into work.

Yes they are legitimate in that it's things like chest infections, mental health issues, covid etc etc but the time taken off is never just 2 or 3 days but 2 or 3 weeks. Or months.

We have to just fit the absent person's work into our existing hours.

You cannot approach this from the other sickness only how much work you have. If you are not able to get everything done then speak to your line manager and ask how to they want you to prioritise. You don’t need to mention any reason - it would be the same approach if there was a full team and too much work, one member not pulling their weight or as here others being ill.

If it isn’t affecting your work then it isn’t your business, the only thing then is finding a new job.
(Also just be relieved that so far you have not needed to be off sick yourself.)

I am lucky to not be ill often, as I said. However a team which is constantly running short of staff affects morale, it's not just about workload.