Searing back pain after work, should I go back to work today? Need advice asap!

gertog

I started a new job in a restaurant three weeks ago now and I love it. However I do a lot of shifts behind the bar which involves carrying heavy crates of glasses. My back was hurting in work yesterday and I told the other staff working there but they were very unsympathetic, but last night I could barely sleep due to searing pain along my shoulders and lower back. I woke up at 7 aswell and can't get back to sleep due to the pain. I have a 12-9 today and amn't sure what to do, as I googled it and the results said working through the pain is best for the bones but I have a really bad feeling about pusing myself.
I also feel bad because I had to take Sunday off due to my asthma, and I wasn't going to go in yesterday as I had an upset stomach and was feeling very weak and tired but I do really enjoy working there and I don't want to let anyone down.
I'm awfully conflicted, any advice is much appreciated!

andekwarhola

Bad back, asthma and upset stomach.

Are you sure you like working there?

OMM 0000

1. Call in sick. Pay for a massage.
2. Start doing some weights so your muscles aren't so weak.

gertog

andekwarhola wrote: »

Bad back, asthma and upset stomach.

Are you sure you like working there?

Omg I know how it sounds but yes! I'm just in such a bad way at the minute. I'm a very petite 5ft2in girl and I'm not used to all this heavy lifting, and my breathing problems and something I can't help! As for my tum, diarrhea is a b and I don't know why I had it yesterday.

gertog

OMM 0000 wrote: »

1. Call in sick. Pay for a massage.
2. Start doing some weights so your muscles aren't so weak.

Thanks! Just called in sick, heading to a walk in clinic and I'm hoping a therapeutic massage place I found has available appointments today!

troyzer

Assuming work gve you manual handling training, you need to start smashing out deadlifts.

gertog

troyzer wrote: »

Assuming work gve you manual handling training, you need to start smashing out deadlifts.

No, I actually got no manual handling training..
😬

troyzer

gertog wrote: »

No, I actually got no manual handling training..
��

Then I would bring it up with your boss and tell them you want manual handling training.

And also do deadlifts, they're class.

harr

Maybe the job isn’t for you , have you worked a similar role before?
Maybe find something different, find something that doesn’t involve you being on your feet all day.
It doesn’t look good to your new employer that you have missed two days in your first 3 weeks.

fryup

If you're female you shouldn't be doing heavy lifting..and you should tell them that

troyzer

fryup wrote: »

If you're female you shouldn't be doing heavy lifting..and you should tell them that

Bollocks, you just need a bit of training. I work in a really physically demanding industry and loads of women are in it.

Squatman

troyzer wrote: »

Bollocks, you just need a bit of training. I work in a really physically demanding industry and loads of women are in it.

bollocks to both, regulation is that the company is not allowed to force you to lift anything that you personally deem to be too heavy. if you need to lift half crates, then make them half crates, if you need help, then get help.

bucketybuck

Only there three weeks, already multiple absences and now claiming that she cannot carry out many of the tasks involved with the job.

I would tread carefully there to be honest.

harr

Plenty of women in physical jobs , get the boss to give a manual handling course and see how you go.
No reason whatsoever a woman couldn’t handle proper bar work , unless of course you have an underlying back problem if that is the case this job isn’t for you.

DaylightDies

This post stinks of trying to get a reaction out of the high horse brigade.

ArthurG

DaylightDies wrote: »

This post stinks of trying to get a reaction out of the high horse brigade.

Couldn't agree more.

You have to laugh at these posts. "OMG I'm in an excruciatingly painful situation that only a doctor can help with need advice ASAP".

Clearly posting on boards rather than going to a doctor is the right thing to do.....

Mrs OBumble

Squatman wrote: »

bollocks to both, regulation is that the company is not allowed to force you to lift anything that you personally deem to be too heavy. if you need to lift half crates, then make them half crates, if you need help, then get help.

Same applies to men asnd women though.

A blanket "women can't do physical jobs" is BS.

TrustedApple

I worked in the hospitality industry for years. Carrying heavy things is part of the job.

If you need beer you get a case, if you need wine you get a case from the storeroom and so on. Male or female it should not be a issue. Trays, boxes, plates you name it.

The job is to carry things from point a to point b.

I hurt my back a few weeks back I went and got physio on it and after 3 gos I am now back to about 90%. Just book a physio and make sure you have the day off after and you be flying it.

Dial Hard

OMM 0000 wrote:

1. Call in sick. Pay for a massage. 2. Start doing some weights so your muscles aren't so weak.

All the muscles in the world won't help if her lifting technique is incorrect. She needs manual handling training.

splinter65

OP catering is not for you. Tell them that your finishing up today and leave it at that.

SusieBlue

When I first started working in the hospitality industry I had the same problem.
I was wearing the wrong shoes, I wasn't used to standing for 8+ hours a day, and I wasn't used to lifting anything heavier than my handbag.
At the end of my shifts for the first few weeks I used to be in agony, I could barely stand up straight with the pain in my back.

I bought better, proper shoes, did manual handling, and allowed my body to adjust to the new routine. The pains went away after a few weeks when my body got used to being so much more active.

Its been three weeks. You will have the same problem with any similar level job in a bar, retail, hotel, another restaurant etc. so quitting is no good unless you plan to never work in those sectors again.
Give it some time.

OMM 0000

Dial Hard wrote: »

All the muscles in the world won't help if her lifting technique is incorrect. She needs manual handling training.

I agree.

Squatman

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Same applies to men asnd women though.

A blanket "women can't do physical jobs" is BS.

yes, i never said otherwise