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Original poster

Calling in sick

36 replies

user1497643032 · 06/03/2023 19:55

So started a new job but unfortunately caught covid on 1st day which meant I started work few days later and then 4 weeks later another positive covid test & called in sick on Friday & on monday, I sent an email because I had lost my voice so can't call & I had no one to call for me. But I got no reply Frm anyone.. but then I recall them saying one has to call in but I do I if I have lost my voice

Is this something to worry about?

OP posts:
Nimbostratus100 · 06/03/2023 19:56

If the work place policy is call in, then call in, who knows how long an email will take to be read?

carriedout · 06/03/2023 19:57

If I was your employer I would be concerned at you having twice called in with COVID in only one month.

You can email if you can't speak but they might be sceptical as they don't know you.

Somanycats · 06/03/2023 19:57

Yes of course you call in even if you have lost your voice. You hadn't lost your ability to whisper, just vocalise. That said, very likely nothing will come if it, and you will just be reminded you must call in.

WMH · 06/03/2023 21:29

Did you have a negative covid test after your first infection?
You know you're not supposed to test again for 30 days as test can pick up "dead" covid cells. Some people test positive for weeks but they're not infectious.

The email might not have been picked up yet. If company policy is you call then I'd do that even if you can only whisper

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 06/03/2023 22:27

If the policy is to call then you need to call, even if all you can do is whisper or croak.

Mortimercat · 07/03/2023 09:01

Yes I would worry about his. You are looking very flakey in your first four weeks and are not following policy. You need to pick up the phone, nobody loses their voice completely.

WindowGazers · 07/03/2023 09:07

I think they're likely to be sceptical - you'd not believe the number of times I've had emails from people stating they'd lost their voice and couldn't call. It's a common reason for sending an email instead of making the required contact, but in reality it's not that common that people actually fully lose their voice. I'm sure there will be other people with management experience here who can back me up with this one!

Paperexcelandpens · 07/03/2023 09:28

I thought you were protected and therefore very unlikely to catch covid for 6 months after having it. Are you sure it was a new covid infection after just 4 weeks?

spelunky · 08/03/2023 08:07

As a manager, I've never missed an email from someone telling me that they are sick, because when I'm working, my emails pop up right there on my desktop as they come in.

I think a requirement to call in sick and talk to someone is ridiculous and unnecessary in most situations where people are in office/ desk jobs. It just implies a lack of trust and that they want to make sure that you 'sound ill'.

spelunky · 08/03/2023 08:08

(We have this policy and I don't follow it - my manager has given up asking me to because she knows that it's not justifiable)

Pondere · 08/03/2023 08:11

I often lose my voice when I have a cold. I can still whisper and make a phone call.

You should call. I know you can’t help being sick but as a manager, I would question you having covid twice in such a short period of time so calling will allow them to hear that you’re actually unwell rather than making excuses.

QueSyrahSyrah · 08/03/2023 08:11

spelunky · 08/03/2023 08:07

As a manager, I've never missed an email from someone telling me that they are sick, because when I'm working, my emails pop up right there on my desktop as they come in.

I think a requirement to call in sick and talk to someone is ridiculous and unnecessary in most situations where people are in office/ desk jobs. It just implies a lack of trust and that they want to make sure that you 'sound ill'.

As a manager I 100% agree with this. I don't want my team calling me at 8am as I'm dashing out the door no more than they want to call me.

A WhatsApp or an email is fine, it gets the message across and they know I've received it because I reply as soon as is practical.

If your situation OP I'd be concerned that two bouts of covid that close together is unusual and might raise eyebrows. Did you get a negative test after the last lot?

Margo34 · 08/03/2023 08:18

Whispering is one of the worst things you can do for voice care if you lose your voice and could cause more damage as I understand it!

Agree with the pp that said I think a requirement to call in sick and talk to someone is ridiculous and unnecessary in most situations where people are in office/ desk jobs. It just implies a lack of trust and that they want to make sure that you 'sound ill'.

Email or WhatsApp is fine. But as others have said, COVID twice in close succession is odd.

Starflecked · 08/03/2023 08:20

I don't think it implies a lack of trust or is a way to judge whether someone is sick, but from a welfare point of view it's important to speak to the member of staff for the first day at least. I used to work with someone who would text in sick but the reality was her partner was abusive and a way to control her was to not allow her to work some days; yes unlikely but you can't guarantee an email or a text is actually from the person. Doesn't have to be at 8am though, usually with x time of usual start time, its only a phone call its weird how some feel this is wildly unacceptable.

I'd say the fact you've only just started and have been off twice with covid in the space of a month and haven't followed the reporting procedures probably would raise a few eyebrows.

EarringsandLipstick · 08/03/2023 08:20

No way you got two separate cases of Covid in a 4 week period - it's not medically possible.

You may of course have been unwell with something else.

I'd be concerned about this so soon in your employment, as your manager. However, I would also give any employee the benefit of the doubt & see how matters progress.

Use the recommended approach by the company to notify them of your absence or make very clear why you can't.

Starflecked · 08/03/2023 08:21

Whispering is one of the worst things you can do for voice care if you lose your voice and could cause more damage as I understand it!

A quick phone call is fine, "hi its x I won't be in today because of y, ill keep you updated as to when I'll be back" or something won't cause more damage.

nocoolnamesleft · 08/03/2023 08:22

I remember trying to call in sick when I'd lost my voice and work kept putting the phone down on me because they couldn't hear me.

Jewelanemone · 08/03/2023 08:27

If you don't phone in, how will you use that special 'sickness' voice that people reserve for such occasions? That quavering, whimpering, croaky sob that gets wheeled out no matter what the illness, to demonstrate just how close to death's door they are? Drives me flipping mad - just speak in a normal voice (unless you've lost it, of course)!

Margo34 · 08/03/2023 14:09

A quick phone call is fine, "hi its x I won't be in today because of y, ill keep you updated as to when I'll be back" or something won't cause more damage.

Any whispering is still whispering. It could cause more damage/pain/inflammation, it could delay recovery. Whispering is detrimental to voice care.

Nimbostratus100 · 08/03/2023 14:54

well, you can send a text to a landline number ansa machine - that is one option

Nimbostratus100 · 08/03/2023 14:54

Or get your phone or computer to read aloud a written message

AllOfThemWitches · 08/03/2023 14:56

I'd think 'did you bollocks catch covid twice in 4 weeks' 🤣

TheSnowyOwl · 08/03/2023 15:00

You are almost certainly on probation, you’ve been off sick twice in a month and you’ve not adhered to the sickness policy? Yes, I’d be worried.

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 08/03/2023 15:17

Margo34 · 08/03/2023 14:09

A quick phone call is fine, "hi its x I won't be in today because of y, ill keep you updated as to when I'll be back" or something won't cause more damage.

Any whispering is still whispering. It could cause more damage/pain/inflammation, it could delay recovery. Whispering is detrimental to voice care.

Oh, don't be daft.

A thirty second phone call isn't going to damage someone's voice to the point that they're off work longer as a result Grin

Starflecked · 08/03/2023 15:21

Margo34 · 08/03/2023 14:09

A quick phone call is fine, "hi its x I won't be in today because of y, ill keep you updated as to when I'll be back" or something won't cause more damage.

Any whispering is still whispering. It could cause more damage/pain/inflammation, it could delay recovery. Whispering is detrimental to voice care.

This is just pathetic! Reality is most people prefer to email or text because it's easier, there are very very few instances where calling would actually be detrimental to health.