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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

How do you know when you are ready to return to work after being unwell?

8 replies

Coldcoffeekindamorning · 23/11/2025 16:32

Not really AIBU but I've been very unwell with covid and been off work (sick note from the doctor). I have asthma and it hit me hard and I was basically in bed when I wasn't looking after DC. The second week I had the worst fatigue I have experienced, I had to go to the shops to pick up some food (just a short drive and I was negative at this point) which left me having to lie down for the rest of the day and feeling absolutely awful. It was like a wave of feeling unwell just suddenly engulfed me. I am due back at work tomorrow and while I am feeling better I'm not sure if I could manage work as it's quite a physical job and it's non stop. Part of me wonders if I should just power through, that maybe I am scared I won't be ok. Part of me wonders whether I am not better yet and the doctor did say that its important to rest rather than push through as it could make things worse. I dont know what to do. I have 3DC (3, 5 and 7) and DH is helping loads, doing as many school runs as possible while working full time, taking the kids at the weekend but he is also recovering from covid and the kids are still up during the night coughing a lot. I just dont know what the right thing to do is. The reason why I am unsure is that it is very hard for my work to find cover for me so if I do go in and then feel unwell I will leave them in the shit and it will loose the business a lot of money. Any advice?

OP posts:
Happyhappyday · 23/11/2025 16:34

I believe pushing too hard when recovering from COVID has been found to be associated with greater risk of long covid so on that basis, I would say absolutely not. Chronic fatigue will wreck your life and I’d personally do anything I could to avoid it. The consequences for your work are not your problem.

VeterinaryCareAssistant · 23/11/2025 16:36

If I want to be paid I go to work, ill or not. The only time I call in sick and take the loss of pay is if there is a school play or sports day I won't miss.

Tomselleckhaskindeyes · 23/11/2025 16:37

Take the time off. If you are not ready to go back you're not ready.

Parker231 · 23/11/2025 16:44

VeterinaryCareAssistant · 23/11/2025 16:36

If I want to be paid I go to work, ill or not. The only time I call in sick and take the loss of pay is if there is a school play or sports day I won't miss.

If you had a bad case of Covid as the OP is describing you wouldn’t be physically be able to go to work

Hollybelle83 · 23/11/2025 16:58

Don't go back to work. Your anxiety about it says it all. You're not ready.

Bobbybobbins · 23/11/2025 17:03

I would say you are definitely not ready for full days. Do you have a return to work interview/meeting? I would suggest you need a graduated return when you are ready to go back.

HoskinsChoice · 23/11/2025 17:58

Go back to work. You might find that getting out of the house and the camaraderie or colleagues is what you need. If it isn't and you can't manage, then go home again. Going to work won't make you more ill. Take time off when you are ill. Don't take time off when you think you might* be ill. *

JaceLancs · 23/11/2025 18:00

Get another sick note
I’ve always been a push through person until I couldn’t
Was diagnosed with long Covid/chronic fatigue 12 months ago

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