To be tempted to pull a sickie?

ofthelandandsea · 2025-12-02T06:28:11+00:00

And yes it’s morally reprehensible but … Work in a school, so can’t take annual leave or anything like that, and it’s my DDs first school play Friday. My school won’t let you have time off for anything like that; they just won’t, it’s just no, no, no. It’s similar if a teacher needs to leave the site during the day, you just can’t get out. I really am tempted to say sod it and say I’m unwell.

MaybeNextYear2026 · 02/12/2025 06:29

Would anyone at DD’s school recognise you?

Gremlins101 · 02/12/2025 06:30

If you aren't afraid of getting in trouble, go for it.

Original poster

ofthelandandsea · 02/12/2025 06:31

MaybeNextYear2026 · 02/12/2025 06:29

Would anyone at DD’s school recognise you?

Do you mean would anyone from her school also work at mine? No. I’d be recognised in the sense that ‘oh, that’s Olivia’s mum’ of course.

OP posts:

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 02/12/2025 06:31

If you can afford to lose your job, then I guess you can afford to risk it.

Original poster

ofthelandandsea · 02/12/2025 06:32

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 02/12/2025 06:31

If you can afford to lose your job, then I guess you can afford to risk it.

I hate sounding antagonistic here but why would I lose my job for one day off sick?

After all, even if I was really unwell I wouldn’t be under house arrest.

OP posts:

PersephoneParlormaid · 02/12/2025 06:34

I can’t believe that the school aren’t putting it on at night too, as so many parents work. My kids school offered you a ticket to watch, and you chose a night or day slot.

Silvertulips · 02/12/2025 06:34

Go for it. Every school i’ve worked at they’ve allowed parents to go - sports days etc as most teachers work longer hours

If you injured a knee or something you could hobble to the play!

Terrytheweasel · 02/12/2025 06:34

Go and just be careful not to mention it to anyone. You won’t get sacked.

Mumsntfan1 · 02/12/2025 06:35

I understand why you'd like the day off. I think you need to decide what's more important. A Job that means you have the school holidays off with your child or being able to take holiday when you like. Also will it stop at this one day? What about sports day and other school events?

firstofallimadelight · 02/12/2025 06:35

It’s risky I’d start being sneezy/pale /shivery a few days before

landlordhell · 02/12/2025 06:36

No I wouldn’t. I also work in a school and I get the temptation but these days with social media etc o would t risk my job. Our head let someone go last year to their child’s nativity as there was no evening performance so I think you should ask your child’s school for a start to put in an evening one and then asks your head. You won’t relax.

Pixiedust49 · 02/12/2025 06:37

Can you take it unpaid?

landlordhell · 02/12/2025 06:38

ofthelandandsea · 02/12/2025 06:32

I hate sounding antagonistic here but why would I lose my job for one day off sick?

After all, even if I was really unwell I wouldn’t be under house arrest.

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No but if well enough to go to a play you’re well enough to go to work

MaybeNextYear2026 · 02/12/2025 06:38

ofthelandandsea · 02/12/2025 06:31

Do you mean would anyone from her school also work at mine? No. I’d be recognised in the sense that ‘oh, that’s Olivia’s mum’ of course.

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My worry would be you don’t know who knows who.
I personally find it morally wrong your school won’t let you have the time off. No wonder people are leaving in droves. I really hope you find a solution.

Original poster

ofthelandandsea · 02/12/2025 06:39

I’m trying to think of how it could bite me and I can’t.

DD attends a very small primary school in a rural setting. I teach in a huge sprawling secondary in an urban setting, although it only takes me about twenty minutes to drive there it is a good eight miles away. There aren’t any connections between the schools.

It is silly because if it was OKd I’d only be missing the last period of the day which is actually my PPA anyway so no implications for cover.

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Slightyamusedandsilly · 02/12/2025 06:40

If I thought there was no way I'd be reported back on, I'd do it. But you are running the risk of being reported and facing a disciplinary.

I do understand though. So hard for your child to never have a parent present at school things because you're not allowed time off from other peoples children.

landlordhell · 02/12/2025 06:40

ofthelandandsea · 02/12/2025 06:39

I’m trying to think of how it could bite me and I can’t.

DD attends a very small primary school in a rural setting. I teach in a huge sprawling secondary in an urban setting, although it only takes me about twenty minutes to drive there it is a good eight miles away. There aren’t any connections between the schools.

It is silly because if it was OKd I’d only be missing the last period of the day which is actually my PPA anyway so no implications for cover.

Oh if it’s your PPA I give you my permission. 😜
But only for the last period: take ill then or get a mammogram appointment.

Original poster

ofthelandandsea · 02/12/2025 06:41

landlordhell · 02/12/2025 06:38

No but if well enough to go to a play you’re well enough to go to work

Edited

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I promise I’m not being pedantic or an arse but no.

Illness - virus, coughing, vomiting - agree

Injury - bad back, badly twisted ankle, broken arm, frozen shoulder - don’t agree
Mental health - stress or depression or grieving - don’t agree

And there are nuances to all the above.

OP posts:

Mumsntfan1 · 02/12/2025 06:43

MaybeNextYear2026 · 02/12/2025 06:38

My worry would be you don’t know who knows who.
I personally find it morally wrong your school won’t let you have the time off. No wonder people are leaving in droves. I really hope you find a solution.

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It's morally wrong to 'only' be allowed 13 weeks a year off work!

landlordhell · 02/12/2025 06:43

Please do speak to the primary school about evening performances though- every school I’ve worked in does one. 6pm is standard.

FuzzyWolf · 02/12/2025 06:43

You’re right that morally it’s not the right thing to do but I would prioritise my child and go.

What’s your plan for future years and other significant school events though? A pattern will soon show if you do it regularly. I know teachers get the school holidays off but missing all the plays, sports days, interactive events and assemblies seems to not make it worthwhile to me.

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 02/12/2025 06:43

ofthelandandsea · 02/12/2025 06:32

I hate sounding antagonistic here but why would I lose my job for one day off sick?

After all, even if I was really unwell I wouldn’t be under house arrest.

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If you were really unwell, you wouldn't be faking sickness to go to your dc's performance.@

Nellodee · 02/12/2025 06:43

Is anyone else from your family going to be able to attend?

springintoaction2 · 02/12/2025 06:45

Well just do it OP. Not sure why you're asking as you have already made up your mind.

You, however, will not be getting blessings and sympathy from all on the internet.

Taking a sickie is always tempting, but I never have done it, as I just feel too darned guilty. Plus if I find out fellow workers have done it - it really pisses me off! Illogical possibly, but true.

Overthebow · 02/12/2025 06:45

Mumsntfan1 · 02/12/2025 06:35

I understand why you'd like the day off. I think you need to decide what's more important. A Job that means you have the school holidays off with your child or being able to take holiday when you like. Also will it stop at this one day? What about sports day and other school events?

This is it isn’t it. Your job is great for school holidays and you get to spend them with your DCs which a lot of us don’t get, but downside is no flexibility in term time. I think for this I would be tempted to call in sick for her first play, but just this once and not for future events. I think it’s a shame there’s not one day of flexibility a year for teachers for things like this.