I feel guilty about calling in sick...
By reinydawn
@reinydawn (11643)
United States
January 9, 2008 7:03am CST
I'm supposed to be at work in half an hour and I'm still undecided if I'm going or not... When I went to bed last night I wasn't feeling too well. I had a bit of a stomach ache, figured it was gas and got a little sleep. Well, I woke up this morning and I'm not feeling any better. I tried to do my normal stuff thinking I could shake it off, but it's not working. I've been in the bathroom quite a few times already, some false alarms, some not so false. I'll feel better for a few minutes, but then that icky feeling comes back.
I don't know that I can make it through work and I have a lot of work to do. If I don't go in today (and I haevn't even taken a shower yet) I have to cancel an appointment with a client tomorrow. We're very busy right now, and behind on some things because my boss was out for most of December because of a back issue. It's just the two of us in the office, and our receptionist wont be in today. I know it's going to be hard on my boss, but I just don't think I can drag myself to work today. I haven't called in sick in over a year, I think. I actually have a couple weeks worth of sick time built up.
Do you feel guilty when you call in sick to work?
6 people like this
17 responses
@cher913 (25781)
• Canada
9 Jan 08
well i think any good employee feels guilty. i work in a very small office and if i am not there, my co-worker has to do my job plus hers...(i was in the hospital for a week at the beginning of dec..,.)
however, that being said, if you are sick, your sick...you risk a) not doing your job to full capacity and b) getting others sick, so why not stay home?
4 people like this
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
9 Jan 08
I know. With all my boss has going on with his health right now, I know he doesn't need to get this - if it is anything. I've taken a little nap and feel a bit better. I'm eating too, but it just feels like rocks in my stomach.
@terri0824 (5209)
• United States
9 Jan 08
I very seldom call in sick, as a matter of fact, I can't think of when the last time was that I did call in sick. I would have a dredge of guilt, but not for long if I called in sick and I really was sick.
Don't feel guilty, if your sick you are sick and your boss will know you are since you haven't abused it ever before. Get feeling better!
3 people like this
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
9 Jan 08
I usually go in also when I'm not feeling well. But today I feel horrible. And Mooch, you know how nice it is out there today! Can you believe I'm calling in sick TODAY??? I want to go sit out on my deck and fall asleep out there. But it's too far from the bathroom... I just feel really drained and know I would have been worthless at work.
@teapotmommommerced (10359)
• United States
11 Jan 08
I know this is late but stay home. If you might have something contageous then do not take it to work and give it to your co-workers. Your boss will understand if you are not one to call in sick.
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
11 Jan 08
Yes, it was a good idea for me to stay home. I was feeling much better pretty quickly, but the rest did me good!
@mycharm88 (2288)
• Philippines
9 Jan 08
Hello there reiny c",)
I admire you for your loyalty on your job and your boss. And for your immune system, because you haven't been sick for a year c",) Awww... if i were you i wouldn't feel guilty because what you're having is really freaky, i have experienced that (if you're having a bad stomach or diarhhea)... most times i would go to work but if i think that i wouldn't be able to work at my best then i would just call the office that i couldn't make it. I would only feel guilty if i'd be pretending to be sick when i'm not. So don't be because your body deserves a day-off when it's not at all well. Maybe your feeling that because of all the stress from working so give it a rest my friend... Do take some med or consult your doctor and you'll be better soon. Hoping all the best for you...take care c",)
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
9 Jan 08
Thanks. I've gotten some rest already this morning - and will head back to bed in a minute. I'm so tired, the thought of walking up the stairs in the building I work in was just very daunting. It's only 2 flights, but I just feel weak. I've been on a really good vitamin regimen the last 18 months or so and I know that has a lot to do with not being sick lately.
Of course, I had to pick the loveliest day to call in sick - it's about 60 degrees warmer than normal today! And I can't even go out and enjoy it...
@kwenge (2487)
• Kenya
9 Jan 08
Don't feel guilty at all. Human body is like a car, you cannot take it to the road if you feel it has some hitch. It might end up killing you in an accident.
Dear, your health comes first then work comes second. If you are bedridden right now or if God forbid you leave the world, your job will continue and you can be replaced in one day.
Get well soon.
2 people like this
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
9 Jan 08
I know, but I know we have a lot of work going on and I don't like letting my boss down. He's still recouperating from a back injury (he was out from Thanksgiving to Christmas). I feel bad calling in sick when there is so much work I need to do. I know it'll get done eventually...
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
10 Jan 08
I am feeling much better today, and I've got a lot of work ahead of me when I get in. But, since I'm rested I'm ready for it!
@jeni_fini (98)
•
10 Jan 08
We all feel guilty once in a while. But that is what your sick days are for, to use. I know it is hard for the person covering you, but you have to take care of yourself first. If you are not 100% then I believe you can't give your client justice or you all. If you are running fever, that is another reason to stay home, because that person or anyone around you could become sick as well. I know it's hard, but you really do have to do what is best for you.
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
10 Jan 08
I am glad I decided to stay home. But since there's no one to cover for me then I have to play catchup today. I should be ok though...
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (164711)
• United States
10 Jan 08
Yes, I do, or when I have to take time off for an appointment with the dentist, optometrist, you name it. You know something, no one is indispensable, and if you are sick with something contagious you could be spreading it even further. I do not know where you live but we are having tons of this stomach situation at both my jobs. Is there any part of your work you can do at home, just to keep from being so behind, and so you can be really close to a bathroom, just in case? I hope you get to feeling better soon. Get some gingerale, and keep the food light and simple.
2 people like this
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
10 Jan 08
Yeah, there's some stomach thing going around here too. I went back to sleep this morning and felt much better after that - was almost tempted to go to work...
If I had known I was going to stay home today, I could have brought my work with me and done it. All my paperwork that I was working off of and the computer files are at work. When we get bad weather I do bring stuff home in case they don't plow my nieghborhood. But I wasn't expecting this. I am feeling MUCH better and will be working tomorrow!
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
12 Jan 08
Since I just noticed you posted this a few days ago you obviously made your decision one way or another and I'm curious what you did. But, as for feeling guilty about calling in sick - ARE YOU CRAZY?? Considering how you haven't called in for over a year and have sick leave built up, you have nothing to feel guilty about at all. Ask yourself this, is you did take off and are feeling guilty still or if it comes up again: a hundred years from now, will anybody give a rat's behind that you called in sick on January (or whatever) fill in the blank for the date, 2008? Will the earth still be turning? The answers are "NO" and "Yes"! When you don't feel well you owe it to yourself to stay home and take care of yourself. You won't get a medal, or - if your boss is like some I've had - even a sincere thank you.
Hope you feel better!
Annie
1 person likes this
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
12 Jan 08
Yeah, I do have a great boss. I've known his wife and kids for about 10 years - I used to work with his wife. They are great people and never take advantage of me. I know I am very fortunate in that respect.
I did stay home last Wednesday and got a lot of much-needed rest. I don't usually get sick at all, so I was a bit down on myself about that in the first place. I am feeling MUCH better about everything now.
Thanks!
@liranlgo (5752)
• Israel
10 Jan 08
well i do know what you are going through
i used to be just like you
there was never a good time for taking a sick day
even when i was sick and i did always feel guilty if i did take a day off
but now days it is different
i learned that if i do not feel well it is better to stay in bed and take good care of myself
the last time i went to work sick i felt so bed that i really could not focus on work and all of my meetings with clients did not look respectable.
i think that you should stay in bad today, nothing will happen, you can do what you missed today tomorrow or another day.
feel good:)
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
10 Jan 08
It was hard enough concentrating on the novel I was reading, I know I wouldn't have been able to concentrate on work. I'm glad I did stay home, now I can get all my work done today...
@eyewitness (1575)
• Netherlands
9 Jan 08
I never felt guilty because they normally sent me home because they saw by the looks on my face that i wasn't doing fine at all.
I usually go to work even though i don't feel that well.
Just being a die hard all the tiem but when i call myself sick i'm really really sick.
2 people like this
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
9 Jan 08
I'm the same way, I just didn't have the energy to get to work today. I'm feeling better, but still pretty tired.
1 person likes this
@tyc415 (5706)
• United States
9 Jan 08
Sorry I can't be of help on this one as I don't work outside of the home. Just wanted to chime in on your stomach issue. Could it have been from something you ate? Do you ever have gall bladder problems?
Hope you feel better soon. It does sound to me like you could or should take a day off as you have been a faithful employee.
2 people like this
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
9 Jan 08
My husband is fine and we ate exactly the same thing yesterday (same diet). I heard someone saying Sunday that there is some stomach thing going around and I was around a bunch of people on Saturday. I think I just picked something up and it will hopefully be gone soon. Mostly I'm just tired now. I'm thinking maybe I should hop in the shower and go in for half a day... But I also think resting would be better. I just have so much work I want to get done :-(
@kevsgirlalways (5883)
• Malaysia
14 Jan 08
hehe yeah sometimes I do feel guilty when I call in sick to work. Especially I have things going on and I need to complete some tasks. But hey, you're not feeling well and that's not something you can avoid. So have plenty of rest, sleep well, take some medication or something..hope you get well soon and will be able to go back to work! (although that's not such a fun thing haha ;p) ..take care!
1 person likes this
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
14 Jan 08
Even though I was only out for that one day last week, I feel like I'm further behind than ever. I'm doing much better now and can give my full attention to my duties.
@vicki2876 (5636)
• Canada
9 Jan 08
Not if I was really sick. Sounds like you need a day off and you don't do it often so don't feel guilty. I worked at this place and only took one morning off the whole time I worked there and that was only to go to court for child support. But a co-worker of mine used to take off a couple days a month. It used to make me sick thinking she was lazy and taking so much time off and then complain when the boss docked her pay but not mine. I don't think people should find excuses to take off work unless it is important to them. Which for you it is. TAKE CARE! Hope you are feeling better soon!
2 people like this
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
9 Jan 08
Thanks. I did get a nap this morning already, and feel a little better. I had a few bites to eat, but it's just sitting in my stomach. I think I'm going to call the client I'm supposed to meet tomorrow morning and cancel with him, then go to bed again. I almost feel like I should shower and try to get in for half a day though...
@jayman32 (267)
• Australia
12 Jan 08
NO I DO NOT.. you must look after yourself first, Sounds like your under lots of presure. you sound like a hard working responsible person who doesn't like to let others down. but at what cost? how can you be a productive, positive person when your not prepared to look after yourself? is there something work wise you can do at home?, no matter how small..
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
12 Jan 08
Although it did help me get better, I am now kinda behind at work. I have a lot of deadline-oreinted things that are piling up and I need to get them taken care of. Had I known I wasn't going to be at work, I would have been able to bring stuff home to keep it all going. One of these days we'll all have virtual offices so that wont be an issue.
@ElusiveButterfly (45942)
• United States
10 Jan 08
There was a time when I felt guilty as all heck to take a sick day. When I worked for my last employer, they demanded that I go in when sick. The last time I went in I had the stomach flu. Not a pretty sight. When I am sick now, I call in. I have had to take 3 sick days since being with this employer. Two were from a migraine, one was due to a sinus infection. It is better to stay home and rest to give your body the strength to fight off what is causing your illness. Big huggers to you.
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
10 Jan 08
Thanks! I think my body was really run down from the alst month and that had a huge effect on me being sick. That's the main reason I decided to stay home. And, my boss doesn't need to be getting sick right now either!
1 person likes this
@dutchess67 (917)
• United States
9 Jan 08
You have a strong work ethic, which is admirable. I know many people who have no guilt whatsoever about calling in sick to work, even if they aren't. I rarely ever called in sick for work or was late. I would even call if I were running late and let them know that I was on my way.
Having a good work ethic is a good thing, but if you're sick, you're sick. Taking a day to stay home and take care of yourself is ultimately the more responsible thing to do than going in and trying to work through it and either accomplishing little or getting someone else sick and possibly prolonging your own recovery time. My advice would be to put on your most comfortable pair of pajamas and have a cup of something warm and comforting and crawl into bed with a book and spend your day between reading and napping.
1 person likes this
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
10 Jan 08
I know I would have been worthless yesterday if I had gone it. At least if I'm worhtless at home I don't have to worry about making too many mistakes!
1 person likes this
