feel guilty about calling in sick?

Question

I called in sick to work today because I've stomach cramps, a touch of the runs, and overall body aches on and off all day. I feel somewhat better now, I just have the aches. I feel so guilty for calling in though, it's only my second week working there (at a retail store) and I don't feel that sick anymore. I don't want them to think I'm a lazy slacker :( Should I be ashamed of calling in, or am I being too hard on myself?

Answer 1

Being too hard on yourself! Everybody gets sick and then better! Heck a lot of people call in sick even when they aren't sick! You shouldn't feel guilty at all. Glad you're feeling better :)

Answer 2

This is a very good question. Many people think that paid sick days are a sort of unofficial extra annual vacation entitlement, as opposed to what they really are--a form of income insurance.

If you are legitimately sick, take the sick time with a clear conscience.

If you want to call in sick because you have "Friday Flu" or a hangover or something, then shame on you. If you have paid sick time as an employee benefit, phoning in sick when you aren't is THEFT.

Having said that, there are other factors at play here. You work in a retail store. If you work with the public, customers will not appreciate you being there while infectious. I remember once seing a supermarket cashier, grey faced, coughing and sneezing over everyone's groceries. She should not have been there, and her boss should have sent her home.

There is another factor here that applies to you personally. Employers have a right to expect employees to show up, and after just two weeks you are still a new employee trying to prove yourself as suitable to the position. People can get what is called a "rejection on probation", because the test of suitability for continued employment is different for new employees than for long-term ones. You can also get a "non-culpable dismissal" which is getting fired for reasons other than misconduct or unsuitablility--like ill health.

If you had already worked in the store of five years of something, I'd say phone in sick no problem. Since you are so new, it would be an idea to go to work sick and tell the boss you want to go home. At least that way, the employer will see that you aren't faking it.

Answer 3

I so know what you mean! We can't control what bug hits us, and they are usually worse in the mornings so it's kind of natural to call in sick. Plus who really wants the runs at work? Not nice.

I am pregnant at the mo, and was horribly sick earlier on due to severe morning sickness (should be called all-day-sickness huh?) and I had to have like a day off every week for a couple of months. The office staff started making jokes "so what does Tara have today?". Gah, it was bad.

Can't help it if you feel like ****, chicka.

Keep up the fluids and just rest it off. You can always have a word to your manager or supervisor tomorrow and let them know how sorry you were to have them a staff member down and that you feel much better :)

Good luck sweets.

Answer 4

You shouldn't feel bad, because it sounds like you're truly sick. You could be contagious, so you're doing everyone a favor by staying home! I know you want to make a good first impression, but nobody can predict being sick. It sounds like you have the flu, and you should even give yourself an additional day to make sure you're fully recovered before you get back on your feet. You should only feel ashamed if you call in sick to take a shopping or spa day, lol!

Answer 5

Call in, you could make others sick by going in. You need to take acetimenaphen, rub your chest with vicks vapo rub, take musinex, get some cough syrup, drink lots of fluids and stay in bed maybe 3 days. I had the same thing and that is what the Dr at the hospital told me. They will know you are sick since you don't call in often. Don't feel guilty. Just take care of yourself, Hope you are better soon.

Answer 6

If you really were sick, especially with something that sounds like it might have been contagious, you did the right thing. If you think your employer might not believe you were justified to be off, make amends by volunteering to work extra hours or fill in for someone else. Be the "perfect" employee for awhile. If anyone asks about your time off, say very casually that you seldom miss work but that you felt it was best not to pass your problem on to others this time. A good supervisor should appreciate your concern for others.

Answer 7

You are being too hard on yourself. Perhaps you are not the type to work in a public place. You might be the type of person who picks up all the germs. Look for a one girl office job, or a job with few people around.

Be sure to get a flu shot.

Answer 8

I think you're being hard on yourslef but you have only been there two weeks so it is understandable to feel guilty. But don't feel bad you would have not been able to perfomr at work so it's better not to go rather than bring down your production and causing more work for others.

Answer 9

Yes, you're being too hard on yourself. It isn't like jobs today (retail in particular) have any real loyalty to their employees, as they once had. They may even appreciate that you didn't spread some bug around.

Answer 10

Hard on yourself, relax and take care of yourself. Right after Thanksgiving you will be very busy working in retail.