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Original poster

Am I wrong to have a few more days to recover

34 replies

M2AL · 07/09/2021 21:10

Hi everyone my self isolation date ends tomorrow night. I still feel fatigued and occasionally breathless when I cough . I have asthma too which isn’t helping. I have been working as much as I can from home when I tested positive. However work are saying I need to be in on Thursday for an important team meeting.
I feel better than I have done in the past week bur still not 100 percent.

I feel guilty for thinking I shouldn’t go in but have been told my employer will ring me on Thursday morning am to tell me I need to get into work

OP posts:
HumdrumGuga · 07/09/2021 21:12

If you're sick stay at home.

If you're better go in.

Can you remote in to the meeting?

Dillydollydingdong · 07/09/2021 21:17

You've got 2 more night's sleep. I'm sure you'll be fine by Thursday.

Pissinthepottyplease · 07/09/2021 21:48

Your isolation only ends if all your symptoms excluding cough and something else has gone.

worriedandannoyed · 07/09/2021 22:04

@Pissinthepottyplease

Your isolation only ends if all your symptoms excluding cough and something else has gone.
I don't think that's true...the cough can last ages.

If you're not well you're not well, you could get signed off by your GP

tedsletterofthelaw · 07/09/2021 22:51

YANBU

Took me a good two weeks to recover properly. I went back to work when I felt better, not when isolation ended. Just the same as any other illness.

lannistunut · 07/09/2021 22:53

If you are ill, stay off work. Better to recover properly imo

Mazig · 07/09/2021 22:56

I'm in the same position. Isolation finished yesterday but I just don't feel well enough to work. I feel really guilty, but work is full on and I just know I can't manage it. Today was the first day I could leave the house. I walked the dogs for 20 minutes (DH still isolating and they haven't been walked for 8 days), then made lunch, then ended up asleep all afternoon because I felt so rubbish.

It's really hard, I think now I"m outside the isolation period. I feel like I'm expected to be well and I feel really pathetic for still feeling ill, especially since I've been vaccinated. But isolation period and recovery are not the same thing.

olidora63 · 07/09/2021 22:56

We had a huge outbreak of Covid at work in December/January…many of the staff were really not well enough to come back after the ten days of isolation…they did and were off sick again!! Don’t go to work until you feel better 💐

Coogee · 08/09/2021 06:35

My husband went back to work on phased return. i.e. Reduced hours.

Is that an option?

PrincessNutNuts · 08/09/2021 06:40

If you're still ill...You're still ill @M2AL

I tried to rush back and get caught up with the house and work but it backfired and I went downhill again for another week or more.

Can you do the meeting on Zoom/Teams?

TreaslakeandBack · 08/09/2021 06:41

There are symptoms like still having a temperature or having diarrhoea that mean you have to keep self isolating. Say this is true of you, they can hardly check!

Nicnic91 · 08/09/2021 06:44

The isolation period is only to lessen spread to others - not an expected period for you to be fully recovered. If you are ill, you are ill - you need to take time off work! Flowers

SuperCaliFragalistic · 08/09/2021 06:44

You could make a phone appointment with your GP and ask to be signed off for a bit longer. Normal illnesses require GP sick note if they go on for more than a few days.

illuyankas · 08/09/2021 06:59

I think this system is so wrong. If you are positive but don't feel ill, fine to be expected to go back after the isolation. But illness is different in different people. Some people takes longer to recover. Seems like some work places lost common sense, that just because 10 days is over, doesn't mean people recover from illness automatically.

JemimaM00n · 08/09/2021 07:09

There are so many options for you to attend that meeting remotely. IF you feel up to it, that is when you should suggest to your manager. I would stay home till after the weekend in your situation.

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 08/09/2021 07:10

I wasn’t fully recovered after the first ten days but fortunately I was teaching from home, which made a big difference, and also work put a phased return in place.

However, my GP had been prepared to sign me off if work hadn’t been supportive - is that an option for you?

Original poster
M2AL · 08/09/2021 07:13

Thankyou everyone . I work in a school , and i then have a phase meeting after work that normally lasts a while. I’ve not really moved from bed or my sofa for the last ten days. My body hurts and I genuinely still feel week. I have already received a text stating they expect to see me both at work and for the meeting as it is mandatory.

I never lose time from work and I just feel like I’m being pressured when I know I will struggle throughout the day.

OP posts:
MrsLargeEmbodied · 08/09/2021 07:20

meetings cannot be mandatory if you are off sick op imo

NoSquirrels · 08/09/2021 07:24

It seems rather pressurised - are they usually like this if you need time off sick?

MatildaIThink · 08/09/2021 07:29

@M2AL

Hi everyone my self isolation date ends tomorrow night. I still feel fatigued and occasionally breathless when I cough . I have asthma too which isn’t helping. I have been working as much as I can from home when I tested positive. However work are saying I need to be in on Thursday for an important team meeting. I feel better than I have done in the past week bur still not 100 percent.

I feel guilty for thinking I shouldn’t go in but have been told my employer will ring me on Thursday morning am to tell me I need to get into work

Have you done another test? If you are still testing positive then you absolutely need to stay home as you are infectious.

If they really want you in I would say go, but make it clear they have forced you to go in, and cough a lot whilst there, they will send you home fairly quickly!

AbstractEim · 08/09/2021 07:33

If you still have symptoms (not including cough I think) then your isolation ends when they do, even if that’s more than 10 days. Can you speak to GP and get a sick note?

Beachcomber · 08/09/2021 07:38

I think the advice generally is not to push things as you can end up being ill for longer.

I couldn't go back to work after the isolation period. I took a full 2 weeks off work. With hindsight I shouldn't really have been at work the 3rd week either - I was still weak and light-hearted and struggled through my day.
I think it also depends on your job. I teach too (adults) and it's really hard to stand up and speak / interact with groups of people when you are not fit.

Do you have a good doctor? They should sign you off and then your work can like it or lump it.

If the meeting is that important no doubt there will be detailed minutes taken and you can catch up by reading them.

You have the right to be off sick.

PieMistee · 08/09/2021 07:55

I went back too soon after having terrible flu.itturned into ME and I was ill for 4 and a half years. Didn't work for 2. Still have some symptoms 23 years later. Don't rush back

icedcoffees · 08/09/2021 07:58

Have you done another test? If you are still testing positive then you absolutely need to stay home as you are infectious

This is absolutely not true - you can test positive for three months after the initial infection, it doesn't mean you're contagious.

SheWoreYellow · 08/09/2021 07:59

That’s not right about testing positive meaning you are still infectious.

But if you are still ill, stay off. Phone your gp for a note.

If you rush back you will take longer to get better.