To feel guilty being off sick on the 2nd week of my new job?

[NeckDeep]

Hi all,

I started a new job last week in the NHS, it’s an admin role and I’m really enjoying it. I’m doing really well and have had nothing but praise so feel really welcomed and settled. It’s especially good because I haven’t worked for four years so to find something like first time felt good.

it’s my second week this week and last night I had onset symptoms of D&V, stomach cramps, a slight fever and a headache and I gave it a few hours, but it didn’t give up like I’ve been like this all night (and all day today so definitely think it’s D&V)

I followed the sickness procedure and said I’d be back Monday but I feel so much guilt and anxiety about it which probably isn’t helping my not feel like rubbish.

How do I manage the guilt? I just feel like I’ve let the team down.

There's really not anything you can do about it. If it were a cold or something, you could have gone in and let them send you home if they don't want you there, but D&V is a different story.

You'd be letting the team down if you went in and spread it around.

Please try not to feel guilty. You can't go in with D&V. It's bad timing but will be forgotten soon enough.

You might even find you're not the only one off with it anyway!

@NeckDeep it's not unusual to get ill early into a new job. Probably an immunity thing going into a different environment with different people/ventilation etc.

I had covid the third week in a new job, really ill and had to take a whole week off. There was nothing I could do, but felt really guilty. In reality I didn't have any more time off while I was there so its not like it was the start of a pattern. These things just happen.

Norovirus is rife in our local trust, spreads like wild fire.
absolutely cannot go to work with D+V and you’ve done the right thing.
our infection control policy is you can’t return until 48 hours after last episode of vomiting or diarrhoea.

hope you feel better soon!