Is no sleep a reasonable excuse for calling in sick to work?

[Catermellor]

Is ‘I haven’t slept at all’ a reasonable excuse for not going to work?

I really haven’t. I might have had two hours maybe 9-11 and then maybe dozed for half an hour between 4 and 430’but that’s it and that’s a generous guess. I feel all shaky and horrible and I just want to catch up on some sleep.

huh!!

In my view it’s reasonable not to go but I’d make up a different reason as some people won’t be understanding.

I think it may come from the idea that if you’re signed off before a holiday the holiday includes your sick leave. It makes no difference to me tbh; one day or three is irrelevant.

I run a team with younger people in it who do call in sick when tired and ask for wellbeing consideration. I grant it but slightly seething that i also don't sleep well. I've had a child up every hour of the night for years, then menopause kicking me when I was down and I still came to work. In some ways I admire them for having a line in the sand but ultimately it won't help their progression.

You did sleep just had very little. I’ve gone to work the same, I just make sure I eat and drink lots then go to bed early when I get in. When I only worked 2 days I made sure I did everything I could to get there for those 2 days.

What is your job? Does being sleep deprived cause a safety issue?

If everyone called in sick every time they were sleep deprived because of parenting hardly any working parents would be at work.

Every parent has sleepless nights, as do many others. Insomnia is very common. I would say go in, particularly if you would get paid, and/or if someone else will have to pick up your work as well as their own. It’s one night. You can limp through.

I frequently finish work at 2am and have to be up at 4.30 to take dc competing which is a very long day so 2 hours sleep is the max possible. I’d just get on with it in good shoes unless you are also unwell. The shakes of just from being tired will go away once you get going. Hopefully you will then sleep well tonight too

Depends entirely on working pattern. Weekends for monday to Friday workers arent sick days if they call in sick on a Friday. HTH

As you’ve decided it, I’ve been there. For one day, especially when you aren’t working tomorrow either, then I’d push though. Unless of course you operate heavy machinery or something else where it would be dangerous.

You can self verify though, so you go for it if you want to! You know the sickness policy in terms of impact of pay etc.

I wouldn't call in sick with no sleep. I used to work nights and would often struggle to sleep in the day but I knew that knew I got going after a coffee, shower and then into the thick of it at work, I'd be OK

I think if I called in sick due to no sleep, I'd have been off more than in for those years... nights shifts and 2 young kids didn't mix well!

I think I'd have a mini eye roll if a colleague rang in sick due to being tired, especially on a Friday when they now have two days off. I wouldn't say anything negative out loud as it's none of my business though.

I do know that, I’ve been a parent for a while now.

But the thing is, if I go in and do a shit job (which i will) then I’m just going to end up in hot water.

i would definitely just get on with it. One bad night isn’t enough to ring in sick in my opinion.
get up have done food and some coffee drink plenty of water and you’ll be fine.

I would think it was a pretty lame excuse if I was your manager to be honest lots of people have bad nights sometimes

If I didn’t have young children I’d agree I’m not working tomorrow. As it is, I am.

If you're off Monday and Friday that counts as 4 days for the purposes of knowing if yo need a fit note. You can self certify for 7 calendar days of sickness (including Saturday and Sunday), after that you need a fit note.

No, you're not sick. Breakfast, hot shower, strong coffee and go in.

If you're the only adult in the house and your sickness record is otherwise good then I suspect it will be viewed more favourably than if there was someone else who could have helped. I would expect your sleep to be prioritised. But either way I'm not sure it's reasonable to want to miss half of your working week due to lack of sleep during one night.

Well I also had a crap night sleep but will be going in to do my shift.
Sitting here with a very strong coffee and will go and get ready for work in a minute. Parents across the world have to work on no or bad sleep.

Why is this relevant though? I'd imagine her child is either staying with her or going to their usual Friday childcare. Baffled why this matters to you.

Loads of people have poor/no sleep (thank you, menopause). Hot shower, cup of coffee, and a couple of paracetamol, and you’ll be right as rain.