I rang in sick at work - afraid to get fired - feel really guilty

LegacyUser

I started a new temp job 2 weeks ago on a rolling 3 months contract.

It is a really stressful job as you're expected to know so much so fast. I put in a few late nights and i think i ran myself into the ground. I have a really bad cold/flu..I couldn't stop coughing in work yesterday and i had used 3 packs of kleenex before midday.

I felt so weak and wrecked, after my shift finished I Was still working away but put my head on my desk for 2 minutes just to get my eyes back in order as I still had some emails to send. My boss told me to tell him in the morning by telephone if i'll be too sick to come in as there's no point being there if I'm sick. So i rang up this morning and left a voicemail on his phone but he never rang back.

I felt terrible this morning and I couldn't face going into work as I feel weak and sore... I've not left my bed except to get more water..

I'm worried I'll get sacked. Or look weak in the eyes of my employers. Especially since I just started. I never ring in sick but on this occasion i'm feeling horrible.

I'm afraid my new team will look at me like a waster/not pulling my weight.

I feel so guilty. is there anything i could tell my boss so he knows i'm not playing around ? I don't get paid for sick days..

LegacyUser

I'm off today as well. Sick as with a cold / flu thing. if i went in It would be worse as it would take me longer to recover. I emailed the boss and he was cool with it.

People call in sick all the time and they don't want you to be passing your illness onto others so don't worry about staying home.

Genghiz Cohen

If you were in the day before and obviously sick then don't worry about it. Tis the season after all.

Keep in mind, some places require a doctor's note after 2 consecutive days out sick. It could be €60 you can't afford.

Pippy1976

Relax. If the job is as busy and stressful as you say then your boss probably hasn't had the time to reply - would they anyway? I'm not so sure.

Rest in the knowledge he knew you were sick and encouraged you to let him know you wouldn't make it in... you did as he asked, you can do no more. Apologise profusely once you get in in the morning and leave it at that.

You are genuinely under the weather, there's no crime in that.

krudler

If you're sick you're sick, no point going in if you're just going to be spreading germs to other staff, they'd prob prefer if you didnt

xzanti

You're worrying yourself over nothing.. seriously, have some chicken soup and enjoy the rest of your day off.. you'll be kicking yourself when you're back in the thick of it..

As someone else said, they're probably too busy to reply to your message.. You're HUMAN.. we get sick!! It's your right as an employee to take time off when you're not well..

Besides, I doubt your colleagues would have appreciated you in there spreading germs.

Lollipops23

It's actually worse when someone who's clearly sick comes in and infects the whole office-it happened to us last week and I was in a heap afterwards.

You went in and let them see how sick you really are. However, if a cold hasn't improved even slightly in 2-3 days you do need to see a doc. Feel better!

castaway_lady

You're worrying over nothing...and I would do the very same. He knew you were likely to be sick, its a once off more than likely. Once you're back on the job for a few hours and caught up nobody will remember. Throw some berocca in a glass of water and sip away all day, help get you back to full strength.

seachto7

Would not worry about it. I don't think they would be worrying too much if it ever came to letting you go....

scarymoon1

jeez are you working for hitler??! relax. if your sick your sick. you cant get fired for being out sick, unless your boss is hitler of course