To call in sick even though I could probably do my job?

[bloodysuperflu]

I’ve got one of these winter bugs going around. Sniffly nose, sore throat, I’m going hot then cold (I don’t think I have a fever though as I very rarely get them), head feels like it’s full of cotton wool, knackered. It’s not the flu or anything like that, just a winter bug.

I can do my job. But very selfishly I want a day in the warm resting so that I can get rid of this before Christmas. AIBU to play it up a little in the morning and call in?

Well see what a good night sleep will do

although…. We all know what’s going to happen tomorrow morning!!

Ok but you're still going to be infectious the day after, so still potentially passing it on to colleagues?

i don’t know what the sarcasm is for? I rarely take sick days and I could’ve easily done it today but didn’t!

I know but I don’t really know what to do? I’m in that state where either one is probably justified

I've had 2 colleagues come in this week with germs- I've desperately tried to avoid them as I have a vulnerable husband as well. I would have appreciated it more if my sick colleagues hadn't come in- we manage to pull together and cover the work. I don't know what the nasty removed responses were but imo I think its always best to try and stay off if its something you're going to pass around!

If you’re in a job where you can take sick leave then go for it!

When I am sick I just end up WFH as there’s usually too much work to do to pause for even 1 day. If that wasn’t the case, I’d have no qualms about taking a day off to recover.

I wish I had the ability to wfh as that would be the perfect solution!

I don't know.

You're an adult, you know your own job and you know tomorrow whether you're well enough to go in.

You'll work it out.

Trust me, there’s nothing perfect about WFH when you’re ill! Sadly I usually have no choice.

Hope you feel better soon.

I think long gone are the days when you are expected to work through illness regardless. We can work from home so if ill we would be sent home straight away and if well enough work from home. If not you are off sick.

Before the WFH days I remember struggling through thinking I would be ok I ended up ill for around 3 weeks and vowed never again I will put myself first (not that I always have).

I doubt your colleagues would thank you for giving them a bug just before Christmas

I doubt your colleagues would thank you for giving them a bug just before Christmas

The OP will still be infectious on Thursday.

I wasn't suggesting she goes back to work on Thursday

I probably would call in sick but it’s your call to make.

Many people like someone else to give them permission to take the day off when they feel ill but not so ill they actually need to be in hospital/ physically can't get up/ can't stop vomiting...

My adult DD lives an hour away and rings me to ask whether she should stay home if she has a bad cold type thing - she's a health professional although early in her career... She knows the answer really, it's just wanting to be told it's okay and feel comforted / looked after, not everyone has someone in the house with them for that.

Editing to say I meant to reply to a different post! The post I meant to reply to was one pointing out how frequently this is asked on MN. Sorry!

To be honest this is how I feel. I never took sick days when I was in school, so I feel wrong now.

I mostly wfh and have historically worked if I can do any part of my job. The trouble is, I’m going to have to do any and all of it in any given day and if something challenging comes up, I’m going to fuck it up. Now I call
in sick rather than log on and do a shit job.

Have an early night op
its another 13 hours before you need to make the call

I definitely will be. Sadly my ear is incredibly congested so I think I’ll be putting a form in at the doctor in the morning

If you work in direct contact with other people (rather than from home) and have an illness with respiratory symptoms you would be irresponsible to go to work and pass it on.

Stay at home, drink plenty, keep warm, take an ibuprofen if your temperature goes over 38,5 in the day or if it's rising in the evening, and sleep as much as you can. If you're off sick with a bug you obviously don't go out for anything else except a doctor's appointment or to buy food/ medication if you live alone and have nothing in.

That's what I tell her - also one day in bed at the beginning does often knock a heavy cold type bug on the head so you can work the next day - not genuine flu obviously.

I have colleagues who take two weeks off for a cold - that's taking the piss, but a day or two early on can let you fight it off.

What's your sick record like this year, OP? If you've hardly had any time off, then do it.

I have always felt guilty about taking time off sick, so I know how you feel!

Not sure if you will get paid sick leave?
Does that influence your decision?

None at this job! I had some in my previous job but that was surgery related.

She may not be infectious on Thursday - but nobody reading the thread can say for certain.
Many respiratory illnesses are most contagious in the couple of days before symptoms start and the first day or two when symptoms are worst - that's when the viral load is high. When the person starts to feel better they are generally less contagious than before symptoms started and coughing etc. is often due to post viral inflammation (very low viral load, rarely contagious).

If you are to Ill to work then don’t go.

Take the rest of the week!