Is it ever ok to pull a sickie?

[annie0000]

I am one of the most concientious people I know. I have often gone onto work when I have not been well and in the 24 years I have been working, I am lucky if it averages at 1 day a year - and that includes two pregnancies. I have had a pretty stressful time at work lately and although I would say it is getting better now, I really feel that I could do with a day off. I can't take a holiday as I need to keep these to cover the kids holidays. I feel physically fine, just tired and fed up with never having any time to myself, I could call myself stressed, but is just not the done thing to take a day off with stress, whereas a tummy bug is never an issue. The question is, is it ever ok to take a sickie - knowing that you are ok to be at work?

[Doc Spock]

I have only ever done it once in a job I was about to leave. would not recommend it.

[annie0000]

That's how I feel, but just cause I am physically well, I really feel quite stressed at the thought of going in.

[ELVIS68]

Never take just the one day off, it`s a dead giveaway there`s nothing wrong with you

[joko]

just do it.

its not like you are a skiver, and one day won't hurt and it will actually do you good, and your work will improve if you feel better.

life is too short, from what you have said you are entitled to stop and smell the roses once in a while

[annie0000]

So are you recommending a longer break then elvis or saying don't do it at all? You sound experienced. Are you a manager or a pleb like me?

[annie0000]

That's kind of how I feel Joko - I was really mucked about over the last year, but especially for about six months where it was really difficult to drag myself in every day, and I know that I could have gone to the Dr and been signed off very easily. So now, although it is decidedly better, I feel like I have earned it. I just feel that I am never getting out of the bit. I am either at work or with the kids. I love them to bits btw. I would just so love a day off during the week on my own and as you say I think ultimately my work would benefit - but it would look terrible going back after being off ill and looking fresher than I usually do - a big giveaway.

My boss left 2 weeks ago and I am picking up stuff for her until she is replaced as well.

[ELVIS68]

I`m not a manager, but i know if you only do 1 day sickies it alerts the plebs in HR

[Buenchico]

I'm certainly not one who supports taking 'sickies'. I've only had 3.5 days off in the last 35 years (i.e. an average of 1 day every 10 years) and I've just finished a stint of working 13 hour shifts despite the fact that I've got shingles which is leaving me feeling shattered.

However, it occurs to me that, if you don't get a few days away from work soon, you might well end up taking far more time off if you make yourself really ill. (That won't help you or your employer). Speak to your doctor and get him to 'officially' sign you off. (Even though you don't think that you're physically ill, you might have a virus which is 'knocking you back').

Please note, however, that the advice in the previous paragraph is a case of 'do as I say, not as I do'. I've not even registered with a GP since I moved house 17 years ago ;-)

Chris

[annie0000]

I think I am going to go to bed and sleep on it - I will probably go in tomorrow, but I wouldn't rule it out for later in the week.

[mrknowall]

I wouldn't do just one day as in Monday as my last company saw it as an extended weekend. Or they would see it as you went on the beer as pubs are packed Sunday nights.

[oopsydoopsy]

If you are going to do it Annie take at least 3 days . 1 day is always suspicious in the eyes of an employer!

[whiffey]

We have an enlightened approach to sick leave, we book it in advance, it makes resource planning so much easier. There is no awkwardness about it, all you have to say is "I suspect that tonight's curry might give me a gyp bum so I won't be in tomorrow"

[Buenchico]

I was typing while you were posting, so I'd not read some of your comments when I posted.

Please allow me to take issue with your statement: "but it would look terrible going back after being off ill and looking fresher than I usually do - a big giveaway".

If you go in and say "I actually feel glad to be back. I'd been feeling awful for ages but those few days off have really re-vitalized me" you deserve to be believed. (It's the people who say that every month or so who set alarm bells ringing with the HR department. A reliable employee deserves to be trusted).

Enjoy your sleep and (however you achieve it), get fully fit soon ;-)

Chris

[annie0000]

You make me feel like a malingerer chico! lol. I have worked full time since I left school at 17 - I have been redundant twice and have straight out and got a job both times. I have supported my husband and kids for the last 6 years. As I said, I am rarely off. I don't like having stress etc on my medical records as this does not do you any favours when you are looking for work. Sad but true. It is okay to be physically ill, but anything else is a big no no. i also feel that my job might not last that much longer. I have surrived two restructures in the last 2 years - I feel number 3 looming!

[dot.hawkes]

As long as you don't pull the usual. 'i've been throwing up all night' cos if your boss is anything like me they will ask why you are not on a drip in the hospital, take a compassionate day, most firms allow that, we get 4 a year, it discounts against your attendance bonus with us but you are allowed one every six months anyway to get the bonus.

[annie0000]

Thanx again Chris and everyone else - most people in work know how I have been feeling anyway - they know how badly I have been treated. I guess it is just a pride thing as well. I like to be in control and supporting everyone else but tend to put myself last. Bed is calling!

[stokeace]

if your jobs making you feel stressed i wouldnt have a day off id make it look good......................have a week off annie your workload will still be there when you go back you have to look after number one in this life/have a break and enjoy.hope things work out for you...

[missrandom]

God, I have taken many, many days off sick, when I have just been feeling pee'd off! Go for it, you deserve some time off, and it will benefit your company in the long run. Everyone seems very honest employee's here, makes me feel a little guilty....not!

[mightywease]

You sound as if you really are ill - stress is very debilitating -so I think you should not feel guilty about taking a few days off. Do that, have a good rest then return to work refreshed.

If somone is ill then they should take times off work, not only for themselves but for their co-workers.

I work with somone whose immune system is compromised due to cancer, thankfully now well in the past, which means that he picks up coughs and colds, for instance, very easily and has much more difficulty fighting them off.

My boss prides herself that she doesn't take days off sick. Fine but she then comes in coughing and spluttering in a not very large office and passes it on to him and the rest of us - causing him in particular to have to take more time off sick - which I feel is very selfish.

When my husband had shingles earlier this year and the three of us were in a play together my husband had to avoid him for a while as a bout of shingles could have been very serious.

I have no problem taking time off if I'm unwell and certainly if it means less chance of passing my illness on to others.