How often do you have a sick day at work, and do you feel guilty for it?

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War_vole@reddit

Honestly, if you feeling that bad I am finding it hard to believe that you were up to posting questions here...

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War_vole@reddit

I just know that when I am really sick with some heavy seasonal nonsense or Corona or whatever, I'm lying down with TV in the background drifting in and out of sleep and my phone is not in my hand.

If I need a sick day... or a mental health day... fine, no need for self judgement but if I'm that crooked, I won't be feeding reddit.

Ymmv

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jiggjuggj0gg@reddit

You don't see the difference between typing something on a phone in bed and dragging yourself to an in-person, 8+ hour shift on your feet for 7am?

I'd love to know what your job is where posting on Reddit takes the same effort as a days' work?

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salahiswashed@reddit

It’s so difficult to press a touchscreen on your phone, you’re right. If you can even breathe properly you should go into work!!!

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StuckWithThisOne@reddit

Yeah because posting a question on reddit is so physically and mentally taxing 🤣 wtf

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War_vole@reddit

I just know that when I am really sick with some heavy seasonal nonsense or Corona or whatever, I'm lying down with TV in the background drifting in and out of sleep and my phone is not in my hand.

If I need a sick day... or a mental health day... fine, no need for self judgement but if I'm that crooked, I won't be feeding reddit.

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cann-i-say@reddit

How often do you have a sick day at work

Whenever I am sick. There is no set frequency.

and do you feel guilty for it?

No.

How often do you all have sick days

Whenever I'm sick, which varies.

and are they always justified?

Yes. I'm sick.

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Guiseppe_Martini@reddit

A fortnight ago a colleague came into work with flu and spread it around. I've had it for two weeks now and can't shake it. If you're sick, stay off.

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FiveNixxx@reddit

Just keep your thoughts and opinions to yourself

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0oITo0@reddit

If the company pays for time I'm off sick I stay home. If they don't I come into work.

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1 sick day in the last 2 years due to covid hit me like a brick, before that I’d had 2 weeks off sick in 15 years. That being said, I had a few younger people working with me who would call in sick for really silly things like a headache - I even had someone call in because it was raining heavily

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jennejy@reddit

You will make other people sick if you go into work. Don't think of it as letting your colleagues down, think of it as keeping them safe from your lurgy. No one wants your germs. Don't be a hero.

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ahoneybadger3@reddit

Maybe if they implemented sick pay from day 1 people would be more inclined to take it off.

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jennejy@reddit

In principle I agree with you but nowhere does OP mention not getting sick pay. Pride is a shit reason to give your staff the flu and no one will thank them for it.

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Rydog136@reddit (OP)

I can confirm that I don’t get paid any sick pay

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paul-techish@reddit

that’s tough

Without sick pay, it’s even harder to take a day off when you really need it. It canadd to the stress of being sick.

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thecrius@reddit

See, that's the problem.

We are the soft version of the US bullshit philosophy that one is only as worthy as they waste themselves off of work and brainwashed to feel guilty when our body remembers us that we are just human.

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SuperSquanch93@reddit

Why you bothered then? If I'm ill, I take it off. The kind of work I do isn't worth risking peoples safety with me not thinking clearly.

I also hate those people who come into the office sniffing and coughing... It's rude AF, and risks making me ill.

Just because someone shows face, doesn't mean the work they are capable of while ill is worthwhile.

Finally, if a company doesn't have things in place to keep running when a manager is off, something is wrong.

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PinacoladaBunny@reddit

Sick pay aside, recovering at home rather than giving flu to all your colleagues is important. Most people are not aware, but even healthy people can be permanently disabled after catching flu. Post-viral illness are absolutely awful, and now that I’m living with it I’d not wish this on anyone. You never know who may be susceptible to it.

Plus if any colleague cares for / lives with other vulnerable people, it could kill them. Flu is an awful virus which takes thousands of lives most winters.

So guilt is unnecessary. Because nobody wants your flu, staying at home and resting is better for everyone, including you!

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jennejy@reddit

As long as you can cope financially with the time off, I'd suggest that you don't owe shit to an MD who can't even be bothered to provide sick pay.

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dibblah@reddit

Honestly, plenty of jobs pay sick pay these days, including retail if you enjoy what you're doing. Could be time to look at something new so you don't feel this pressure to work while sick anymore, it's just not necessary.

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leopardprintrovert@reddit

New employment rights bill will be implementing day one statutory sick pay from April 2026 🥳

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ahoneybadger3@reddit

Still wouldn't be enough for most people. I work 12 hour shifts so taking a day off is akin to losing over £200 off my wages with company sick pay not kicking in until the 4th day. SSP is what, £25 a day?

Unless I cannot physically manage it, I'll be in work.

Did take 2 days off back in April mind due to a abscessed tooth and unable to get into the dentist to get it pulled for a few days. Probably the most agony I've felt.

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Franzpan@reddit

This! Going in to work dosed with the flu is not doing anyone a favour. A slight head cold, is of course different but this week we had someone in the office absolutely dosed with flu, sneezing all day, coughing, sniffling.

I politely said, with a flu like that you really should be at home. They replied that they'd rather keep sick days for when they're properly sick.

So disrespectful!

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Prestigious_Sand1978@reddit

That sounds more like a cold. Flu absolutely floors you, they wouldn’t have been able to get out of bed let alone to work.

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Ohbc@reddit

My work pays for sick days and you can also wfh and people still come in I'll, it's ridiculous.

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ArtisticWatch@reddit

I probably take 1-3 days off sick every 2 years.

I haven't had a cold or Flu thats knocked me out enough for me not to work this year.

Probably will next year though!

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Conscious_Guess9637@reddit

Since the pandemic a lot of people’s opinions have changed around working when you’re sick - nowadays people don’t want you to come in and spread germs. It’s a lot different to past generations. My mum admits that when you were sick when she was working you just went in sniffling and coughing and got on with it, now it’s very different.

Take time off to get better and don’t feel guilty. You have the flu and must sleep and rest to get better.

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david4460@reddit

We’re allowed 8 per year before need a management review. I take 8.

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IgnorantLobster@reddit

You specifically target the maximum sick days every year?

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david4460@reddit

Absolutely

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bethjoy91@reddit

In the NHS we're allowed 3... I've had my three thanks to nursery plague and hospital germs since I went back to work in may after mat leave and now I'm scared to take another day off before next May... Despite the fact I'm currently in bed with a chest infection. Cheers NHS 👍

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zamolodchikova_@reddit

In my NHS trust you're allowed two! It's so unrealistic

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NuisancePenguin44@reddit

Wow that's loads. I get 2 in a rolling 6 months period before a written warning.

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Significant-Egg8119@reddit

That’s insane! A written warning? Flu can knock you out for a week!

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NuisancePenguin44@reddit

It's 2 instances of illness, not 2 days. Just means when I have a migraine or something I'm taking my full 5 days self cert

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soverytiiiired@reddit

That system got me a performance review after I was off sick for two days. I returned to work on day 3, realised I had come back too early and went home. So they were counted as two separate absences and I was flagged.

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NuisancePenguin44@reddit

It's such an evil system.

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gr33nday4ever@reddit

same and i was off part of last week which took me to 3 absences, can't wait for that meeting tomorrow to sign the thing for HR to promise i won't be ill again till june 🫠

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NuisancePenguin44@reddit

I'm sure they'll explain to you how much you being ill negatively affects the company.

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CuteChampionship6350@reddit

No it’s not really

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david4460@reddit

That seems harsh. I actually thought mine was harsh. I’m a grown man. If I’m not well I’m not going in.

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Mundane_Process_2986@reddit

I never had a days sick in 17 years, I believe that was luck but then I had a full blown breakdown, a complete mental collapse, when your mind goes it’s terrifying, I went off , it was impossible to do otherwise, and got sacked, Just when I needed support from the company , so whatever you are allowed use it to the fullest extent. You are a number on a spreadsheet that will be replaced very quickly. I am still not 100% maybe I never will be but do not work yourself over the limit for anyone, your health comes first.

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KinnyWater@reddit

What did they use to justify sacking you for going off sick once? Surely that wouldn’t stand up to an employment tribunal.

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SpaceGloomy1595@reddit

I'm guessing an employment tribunal would have been the last thing on their mind during that time tbf.

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Norman_debris@reddit

Probably an association between never taking a sick day for so long and then having a complete breakdown tbf.

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gardenofeden123@reddit

Not necessarily, as long as you’re taking your annual leave.

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bahumat42@reddit

I think it's highly likely you aren't giving yourself necessary recovery time from illnesses if you take no leave in 17 years.

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No_Pea-1@reddit

17 years, no covid, no flu, no food poisoning. How is that even possible?

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bahumat42@reddit

I don't believe for a second they weren't sick in that time.

They just chose to go into work while sick.

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lennythebox@reddit

I'm not point the finger but it sounds eerily similar to that dick head manager who says 'I come in when I'm not feeling well, why can't you' then makes you feel guilty on the phone whilst you ring in sick for the first time in 3 years

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Norman_debris@reddit

Perhaps. But that's some extreme luck to not have a single day that makes you too ill to work in 17 years. And you You shouldn't have to use your AL to cover those days if they do occur.

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tribtb@reddit

💯💯💯

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thisnametookmeages@reddit

I’m ringing in sick with the same thing as you this week. This will be my 4th sickness this year, I have a 4 year old that brings every germ home from school and I also work in a hospital so pick things up pretty quickly. I’m already on a stage for my ‘sickness’ but if you’re ill, you’re ill. I find it ridiculous they say you can’t have more than 3 sickness’s in a year like we plan to be ill? I try not to worry myself about it it’s not like we’re doing anything wrong by being poorly.

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Rowdy_Roddy_2022@reddit

I'm a teacher. I don't feel guilty, but I do feel frustrated, because if you're sick then you ultimately end up creating more work for yourself, as you still need to send in cover work - which may be busy work or different from what you had planned - and then need to pick up the pieces when you get back.

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rabgoose69@reddit

I think people who pride themselves on never having a sick day are a bit pathetic. More often than not, they have this superiority feeling and act like they are better for going to work when sick, when really they have just been brainwashed into thinking its unacceptable, or wrong, to take a day off sick. You are entitled to your sick days, so take them when you need them. You are very replaceable and having 100% attendance doesn't protect you

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Afraid-Priority-9700@reddit

Back in my commuting days, before Covid and work from home, I used to catch a winter bug that would turn into a chest infection at least once a year, so I'd end up taking 2-3 days off work per year. I'd only take this when I really needed to, and I wouldn't feel guilty because nobody would benefit from me dragging my wheezing, unproductive corpse into the office just to make a show of being there.

Since I started working from home, I've been sick once, when I caught Covid in 2021. I took 5 whole days off, and didn't feel guilty about it because I felt like death warmed up. If I wake up too ill to work tomorrow, I'd take time off and not feel guilty either. I know in my own conscience that I only take sick days when I need to, so I don't feel bad about it at all.

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PudWud-92_@reddit

I work from home 90% of the time so I feel more guilty taking time off sick. Often I’ll just work from bed if I feel ill and get up if I have a teams call where I have to be on camera. If I’m really ill then I take the time off. I should stop feeling guilty though as I mainly work with German and French colleagues and generally, id they’re ill then they stay off work and dont hesitate to get the doctor to sign them off for longer periods.

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qbnaith@reddit

If you’re sick, you’re sick. If you go into work while sick, you’ll make other people sick and that will fuck up the business even more. Stay home. Don’t feel guilty. Look after yourself.

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mrafinch@reddit

I have a sick day every time I’m sick without fail. Maybe that’s 5 days a year, maybe 20, who knows.

I’ve always done that and took pride in prioritising my health and the health of my teammates, than to power through, no one’s going to thank me for coming in sick, right?

Work is just work, it’s not that important, don’t feel guilty, people above/below/level with you probably don’t when they’re sick, they’re probably too busy being sick to worry if Andy has a bit of a busier day today

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No-Mark4427@reddit

Few times a year I'll call in for a day or more - If I'm feeling rotten and full of cold I have absolutely no guilt about calling in sick.

Ultimately by going in you just risk making your coworkers sick, its pretty normal to be ill a couple times a year. It frustrates me when people (Probably ones who brag about never taking a sick day...) drag their carcasses to work then spend all day complaining and spreading their germs to everyone, its more of a demonstration of irresponsibility than work ethic.

Just don't go the other way - Have had coworkers who call in sick on average a few times a month, we use bradford factor but nothing really happens, one guy's score is well over 10k and I'm pretty sure our 'trigger' is at 100 points. Naturally nobody actually believes them when they are ill or something has happened to them now, you don't want to be that guy where people regularly take joke bets on trying to predict if you are gonna call in sick tomorrow or not.

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jedjni@reddit

Taking care of our health must be top priority.

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Dramatic-Public-1237@reddit

Don't care... I'm there for the income not the outcome... If I want holiday... Phone sick say it's due to a child care issue... Your covered every now and then can't take the piss of course.... 1 week every 3/4 months lovely

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Legit_Vampire@reddit

I have to be really ill if I'm having a sick day. Like post surgery or so ill if there was a £50 note on the floor I'd be too ill to pick it up. I work in a hospital so don't want to pass things on to patients so so as long as it's not norovirus or flu/COVID or anything stopping me think straight I go in wear a mask & get on with it. Catch 22 in a way cos I'm sure if I am too ill to work I know what pressure not being there puts on my colleagues

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Zero-Credibility@reddit

Very rarely. I’d have to be at deaths door before I’d call in sick.

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Ballybrol@reddit

I get 6 months full 6 months half sick pay and will take time off when I'm genuinely ill. Had a stomach bug that lasted 5 days at the end of November and was off for 7 days in total.

I have a fairly active job and am in and out of the office so will take the time off when I know I'm not fit enough to do my job. I don't feel guilty cause I spent far too much time in my 20s ill and at work because I couldn't afford the time off work and spread germs everywhere.

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BestSatisfaction1219@reddit

Depends if you're the favourite or not, knew a few people I one warehouse who'd had over 10 separate periods of absence in 1 year. I had about 5 in one year but I had sick notes and soon enough I'm in a meeting being told the company can't support my absences. Joke of a world mate.

Spent years working for a degree only to get fucked over by COVID and now rampant xenophobia (anti non-white racism)

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millenialperennial@reddit

Don't get others sick!!! Stay home!

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orangesapplespears@reddit

I have lots coz I just have lots of health issues. Mostly I don't care but I'm eager not to prolong it because it's my own problem if my work isn't getting done, and the longer I'm off I feel anxious about going back and then I struggle to feel on top of everything. So it is a huge inconvenient for myself ultimately. It's not a role where it would necessarily fall on others.

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Mundane-Living-3630@reddit

If and when i’m sick ; and no, never feel guilty about it. They will fire me in a heartbeat.

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Aaron123111@reddit

I’ve been off once in 4 year (minus covid restrictions) I go in dead if I have to, because if I don’t I don’t get paid

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Floyd_Pink@reddit

I take sick days when I'm sick. No job is ever more important than my own needs. It doesn't benefit you to pledge your undying loyalty to your job. I guarantee they don't feel the same way about you.

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TruthSlapper@reddit

How often? Every other month at least. Ofc, I'm almost never sick for real. I just like using my sick days as holidays. Fuck all this "never calling in sick" pride. I couldn't care less if a business lost money due to my time off. At the end of the time, I'm only gonna remember the memories I made during my holidays while I was "sick", not some bullshit day at work.

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ApantosMithe@reddit

Didn’t take any for 2 years and just worked through them from home, maybe finishing early.

But I’ve taken a couple this year when it knocked me and I knew I needed bed rest and it definitely helped get better quicker

If I was having to go into the office every day like I used to then I’d probably have a few throughout the year, nobody wants to get everyone else sick and make themselves even worse

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MissRainbow18@reddit

I've had about 3 or 4 in rhe almost 17 years I've been there. Most recently 2 weeks ago. (D&V) I did feel a bit guilty but I was also feeling to crappy to care at that moment, I spent the day in bed.

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slimmer01@reddit

Guilty?? Fuck no

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ErectioniSelectioni@reddit

I fe no guilt. If I died tomorrow, I'd be replaced in a week.

My heth comes first

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OptionalQuality789@reddit

I work from home, so… whenever I feel sick. I just email and say I’ll be offline.

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E5evo@reddit

Theres sick & ‘sick’. We’ve got a few who are always off sick but they’re not actually poorly/unwell with something contagious ‘sick’. They’ve just got Taking the pissitis. One’s been off with a bad wrist for over 6 months (yet has been seen carrying bags of shopping from Aldi to his car) & another is always playing the stress card. Off for 3 months on full pay, comes back for 6 months, goes off again & repeat. I can’t do it. Mainly be because our gaffers in the office are sound & don’t take the piss out of us at work & it puts pressure on them to put pressure on the people I work with when the shysters call in ‘sick’. Yeah if you’ve got flu/lurgy/the shits then stay at home bumpy all means. it’s not work, I get paid for getting up early.

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lavayuki@reddit

Hardly ever, I might take one day in years maybe, but I never get sick so I have not really had to use sick leave.

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hunsnet457@reddit

On average i’m probably off sick maybe twice a year for 3-4 days at a time. No I don’t feel guilty, I used to, now at my big age I usually tack on an extra day off even when i’m starting to feel better so I can have a ‘me day.’

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rdxc1a2t@reddit

3-4 days at a time

This is me. When you work from home, as I do, you can work through a lot. Any illness is going to feel many times worse if you have to do a commute and sit in less than 100% comfortable conditions so a lot of fairly harsh stuff I can tolerate at home that I might not have in the office. That means when I do have time off, I really need it and its going to be a few days. I always tend to go back a day later than I feel I should as well because I learnt over the years that the day I feel I should go back is often a day too early.

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soverytiiiired@reddit

Same. When I was younger I dragged myself into work in some right states. Did anyone thank me for it? No. Did anyone criticise me because I was unwell and not working at 100%? Always.

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duowolf@reddit

not very often and not at all

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HornyOompaLoompas@reddit

Last time was end of April, caught the Norovirus and ended up in the hospital for 10 hours, they still gave me a warning even though I had all the correct doctors notes etc

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Affectionate-Boot-12@reddit

Since WFH, zero. Also since WFH, I haven’t been poorly. Just goes to show how much lurgy was in the air in an office environment. I used to get horrendous tonsillitis from the aircon but again, since WFH I haven’t had tonsillitis since COVID kicked off.

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Enough-Ad3818@reddit

I've had 1 episode of sick, lasting 3 days, since 2019.

I dont really think about it much, but I work hybrid, so if ever I'm feeling a bit rough, I can head home at lunch, and wrap up warm with fluids and some painkillers, and finish off the day at home.

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Kyber92@reddit

As often as I'm too sick to function at work. I've got a toddler and my wife is a teacher so that's more often than I'd like recently.

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wildeaboutoscar@reddit

Officially I've had 1 full day off sick in 10 years. My mental health has been shaky off and on and the thought of going off sick stressed me out too much so I would power through. When I have been sick like with COVID (or going through insomnia), I would work from home and do what I can and then finish early so it's not a proper sick day as such. I am still more likely to be sick mentally than physically but having hybrid working means I can bottle things up until my WFH day (I also only have 2 rather than the required 3 office days as a reasonable adjustment).

It's nothing to be proud of to be honest. It's not healthy, don't do what I do. Am I going to change though at this point? Not unless I get something that knocks me back completely.

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Jerico_Hill@reddit

I absolutely hate people who go to work sick out of some miss placed sense of guilt. You've made a whole bunch of people ill for no reason. It's a dick move.

You work in a shop, get some perspective.

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kiddj1@reddit

If you continue with this attitude you will regret this when you are old and grey

I've only been working for around 15 years and I used to pride myself on being the machine that pushes through and never stops going

I realized everyone around me had sick days left right and center and no one battered an eye

Imagine you were seriously ill and you suddenly couldn't work.. would your MD be there making sure you are okay? Or would they be trying to find your replacement?

You gotta look after yourself first and foremost.. work will always be there

Why do you feel guilty? Is it because when people call in sick to you, it annoys you? You wish like you they would continue to push through?

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Alien_Goatman@reddit

Whenever I’m ill I call in sick as don’t want to pass it around and risk catching it a second time.

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BroodLord1962@reddit

In my last job role before retiring, I worked for over 6 years without taking a sick day.

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ClutzQueenXx@reddit

I’d feel more guilty being in the office with the flu.

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Polygondwanalander@reddit

I think this attitude is toxic and ableist, and people with low self worth define themselves by the output of their labour. Not everyone has the luxury of choosing to go to work when they are unwell, or the luxury of "justifying" it. I would also note that it makes you less empathetic towards the people you manage, I would not like to have a manager with these particular values.

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Squeak_Stormborn@reddit

I think I average about 5 days per year, as a rough calculation.

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ConsciouslyIncomplet@reddit

We have sick days system that flags you after you take 20 days off in a year, or 4 different occasions. So I ensure that I take at least 2 occasions a year, 7 days each time. Give me an additional three weeks out of work.

I leave the last occurrence in case of actual illness.

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SunDriedFart@reddit

definitely been over a decade since ive been off sick

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JibberyScriggers@reddit

As a teacher I often guilt myself into going in when I probably shouldn't. But 10 years into the job I have no guilt about not going in when I know I DEFINITELY shouldn't. Saying that I've only had one afternoon off in the last 3 years.

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Tanto207064@reddit

Never

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owlracoon@reddit

1-2 day every other year or so. Or less.

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Enigma1984@reddit

WFH has meant that most people take loads less sick days than they used to. When we were 100% in the office I'd probably get one bug per year where just the thought of going out in the cold and getting the bus to the office was far too grim and I'd just stay in bed instead. Nowadays with wfh I can just wrap up and work from the spare room, or even just work from my laptop in bed. I won't be as productive but I'm fine to answer emails and do lighter work usually.

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StreyyK@reddit

Is it weird to say I actually kind of prefer doing light work from home while being sick than just taking the day off? When I was officed-based and too sick to come in I'd just end up sat at home feeling shit. Now I take the laptop into bed, do a few bits and pieces and I feel it helps keep my mind off it.

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adamMatthews@reddit

I’m exactly the same.

I tell my manager I’m sick, so if I vanish during the day it’s because I’ve gone to bed. Then keep myself busy and usually end up working the full day, because being productive and achieving something actually makes me feel better.

This would’ve sounded a bit dystopian to me before I could work from home, I would’ve assumed working would make me feel worse, but that’s not been my experience.

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Enigma1984@reddit

Makes sense to me. Sometimes the day just drags when you don't feel well.

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onepoundfish93@reddit

Ashamed to say I've had more sick days than ever this year. Stress resulting in migraines, depression from dads incurable cancer journey. All of that with a demanding job where I have ostensibly three roles in one...bang.

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insertitherenow@reddit

Whenever I can’t be arsed to go in or I am actually sick. I’ve never felt guilty.

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ThisIsWhatLifeIs@reddit

This isn't America don't feel guilty at all

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baddymcbadface@reddit

What happens when you are on holiday?

There should be a plan for this, ring the MD and tell them you can't work.

Hopefully when you say your phone will be busy it's a work phone and can be given to someone else? If not it's a poor setup.

I don't take many days off. 2.5 in the past 5 years. But if I really need a day I take it.

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TheNorthernBaron@reddit

More of them recently. Started working in a food environment so any colds/sickness or diarrhea then I have to stay off for at least 48 hours after the last episode.

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rdxc1a2t@reddit

Before I had a kid I'd take 2 to 4 days off a year; usually a couple of short illnesses. Now, with a little boy, I take 5-7 days off a year. There's still only a couple of illnesses I need to take time off for but they tend to be worse and they linger longer as you don't get a break from parenting when ill and so you don't get the rest you need in the day and the sleep you need at night. I only take time off when I can't physically work and that's generally an illness that has me literally sick/nauseous or struggling to stay conscious with fatigue.

Having said the above, my child has given me so many stomach bugs that I've worked through quite a few (from home). One year I would have had to take an additional 20 odd days off if I'd taken time off for every day with a stomach issue!

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madame_ray_@reddit

Not often, maybe a couple of times per year. I took some time off after my Dad died, and 5 months before that when I had a really bad chest infection.

I don't feel guilty for it at all. If I can't work, I can't work and my job isn't time-critical.

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DustInTheMachine@reddit

As a self employed cleaner I try to take no sick days, but it's pretty impossible as it's such a physical job you struggle to do it without being 100% fit

Perimenopause really gave me a beating, at one point I was having to take 1-2 days a month because of horrendous bleeding. Thankfully my GP sorted me out with the mini pill which has helped immensely so no more monthly sick days. Had I been employed during those bad 12 months I'd have probably been sacked.

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Brit_in_Lux@reddit

I used to take a sick day maybe once a month, even if I wasn’t sick. Now I’m at a new job which only pays sick days after the 4th consecutive day and backpays them. I don’t get paid if I am sick for less than 4 days so I never take sick days anymore

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Pagan_MoonUK@reddit

I used to drag my sick self into work, coughing and spluttering everywhere. Since COVID, I stay at home, if mild, I WFH, if not I will call in sick. I used to feel guilty, not anymore. Never going sick did not win me any prizes.

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MrD-88@reddit

Take a day or 2 off man.

I honestly find it weird how people how use this "I never ring in sick" thing as some sort of badge of honour.

If you're ill, then priority has to be you, not them.

I've never felt guilty for calling in sick, ever.

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vario_@reddit

I'm disabled and on a zero hours contract, so I probably take more than most. I'd say maybe one day a month. It's usually due to migraines or my heart going nuts for no reason.

I do feel bad because we're running with the bare minimum staff and sometimes cover isn't sorted and then I know that I've just stressed everyone out.

The annoying thing is that other people do come in sick, and then I end up needing to take more time off sick because I catch their illness. Mild cold symptoms will have me not being able to stand up for two days (as has just happened this weekend.)

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whatsgoingonbird@reddit

People who don't take sick leave piss me the fuck off. Making everyone else sick is not something to be proud of.

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realfakethrowawaycom@reddit

Not at all. If you got really sick or died, best believe they will have your job posted before your eulogy

Next time you feel bad for going off sick just remember that you're feeling bad that this business, for which you're just a number, is suffering because you're prioritising your own health

I can understand not wanting to fuck over your colleagues but at the same time, the risk of them catching your illness is just as much fucking them over as the work that they need to pick up (Not to mention that if you can't go off sick without your colleagues getting overloaded with work then that's an issue with the company)

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InitiativeConscious7@reddit

At my old job, it took four strikes before you got a warning. You also got paid sick leave. So I got 3 extra weeks of holidays a year. Was pretty nice

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CoffeeandaTwix@reddit

Rarely. I don't feel guilty however, I would feel nervous about taking time off sick only because the last time I did, I was sacked for it. Not because they suspected I was swinging the lead (I was hospitalised and there was clear proof of that) but just because I was off and it wasn't immediately clear when id be back.

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Prestigious-Way1118@reddit

2 days in 14 years, unfortunately I was in the hospital. I don’t feel guilty for it as I had a good attendance record and the company chose to pay me full pay because of this.

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jamjars222@reddit

No one at your work gives a SHIT if you've taken 1 sick day in two years. Take the damn day off tomorrow

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Harlaw2871@reddit

Once had a seven year run without a sick day. So far this year the only day i missed was my Dad was Hospitalized. I would feel guilty if i could go in and didnt because someone else would be picking up my workload but if i was sick i wouldnt feel bad.

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Designer-Computer188@reddit

I have a colleague who is off with every sniffle and 100% pulls sickies, you just know, she's had 9 days off this year.

I have sick days if I am too unwell to cope with the stress of work, and my job is stressful so requires mental focus. Last time was with the flu which got me real bad

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External-Praline-451@reddit

You should feel guilty if you knowingly give people the flu, just before Christmas and when they want to enjoy themselves/ have things to do/ be more likely to visit vulnerable relatives.

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eriometer@reddit

Why does being actually physically sick have any bearing on "priding yourself on your attitude to work"?

You still have that attitude, but your body is not co-operating. It happens, we're human, we get ill from time to time. Surely better to let them know as early as possible than have to flap about trying to find same-day emergency cover?

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wawbwah@reddit

At the start of this year I had a really rough spree of health issues, starting with a cold from my nieces (a Christmas present) that then lead to tonsillitis and pneumonia. I could hear the mucus in my lungs popping and crackling as I breathed in and out. Kept getting little coughs and colds, then I got an ear infection! Two months later I caught norovirus. I work in a hospital but I was so run down I was just catching everything. After the norovirus I had some blood tests done and I was slightly anemic but otherwise my levels were okay - doctor diagnosed me as "working in healthcare."

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Firthy2002@reddit

Not very frequently and I don't feel guilty about it. In my current job I don't get paid if I call out sick and there's usually no chance of picking up a replacement shift(s) to make the time back. So I only do it when I'm legit ill. Even in previous jobs where I did get some sickness pay, I only took sick days when I was genuinely too ill to go in and do a full day of work. I've even attempted a commute only to give up halfway and call in.

Sick days are sick days and I never feel guilty about them, since I have a reputation of "if he's off he really is sick". My mum told me plenty of stories about the "sickness" piss takers from her management days and I could never be one of them.

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xEmber_Rise@reddit

I'm self employed so I don't get sick days 😭😭😭

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Mixup_Machine@reddit

I get anxious ringing in each day to let them know I'm sick so no I don't feel guilty; if I'm calling in sick it means I must really need to even if it's 'only' because of my mental health

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SkulkingJester@reddit

I’ve had two sick days in the last 4 years. I did feel a little guilty as really I just overslept on one Monday and took the Tuesday off to try and sell that I was ill.

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faceplantedyamam@reddit

Fuck no, I took two months off and feel nothing for them.

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soverytiiiired@reddit

I’m currently in bed with this flu that’s going around that I contracted from a colleague who refused to stay at home despite us having full sick pay. So yeah I feel no guilt and I don’t think it’s good work ethic to come in and infect everyone

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IssacHunt89@reddit

I can hear that Bradford factor crying.

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badreligionlover@reddit

Never feel guilty. But to answer how often - no sick day in 17 years. I have been ill, but it always seems to fall on weekends or time off. I put it down to my body realising it can relax so I gather germs for that time!

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SquareSnakbar@reddit

It's nice that you don't resent those who do take time off sick despite your unblemished 17 year record!

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Trentdison@reddit

I don't go off sick lightly but I would be with the symptoms you describe. I can't remember the last time I took a sick day, but it was probably a stomach bug.

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Hookton@reddit

I have a tendency to plough through until I hospitalise myself. I would not recommend this approach.

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SquareSnakbar@reddit

I think you're asking Reddit because you're a little uncomfortable at arriving at the decision yourself. Take this as the others have said and don't go into work. There's nothing heroic about going in and making the whole workforce ill + anyone you come into contact with. If you invest in this time well, e.g eating and sleeping as much as the body requires, it will go quicker. Good luck and get well soon!

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BumblebeeChewna@reddit

I picked up a mild case of flu/covid last October and pushed through as I was raised to push through and keep going. My health this past 14 months has been in tatters and only just diagnosed with suspected Long COVID/Post Viral Syndrome.

I've learnt the hard way to listen to your body. If you are not well, you need to rest and allow your body to fight the illness. Businesses should have mitigation in place to avoid problems from staff illness and it's not your responsibility to worry about it if they haven't!

Prepare your boss and rest.

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Renachuu@reddit

I don't get paid for sick days in hospitality so depends on the job if I feel like I'm leaving colleagues in shit I would feel guilty but if it's not a busy day it's okay

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Jinxrocket@reddit

If I’m sick I’m not going in. I don’t feel any guilt when I know I’m replaceable. I dont “pride myself” based on the number of sick days. It always annoyed me when people judged others for taking sick days, and they’d come in sick and spread it to everyone just to “show face”, “look how hard/resilient I am”. No your skit a jobs worth Madi / Maureen / Karen / Susan.

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DingDongDaddyy@reddit

I’ve been told a bit of advice which has basically changed my whole perspective on the whole thing and stopped the guilt aspect.

When phoning in sick, it’s not a case of asking to not come in, it’s a case of you telling your employer that you are unfit to come into work.

You just need to tell them straight: I am too sick to come into work. Forming it as a question gives off a sense of uncertainty that they’ll jump on to try and guilt trip you into coming in.

Bottom line is just to be more assertive. If you know for a fact you can’t come in, use that logic when telling your boss over the phone.

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syphonuk@reddit

Take some sick days and then train up your staff in how to open the shop. A single point of failure that impacts the shop's ability to trade is bad business.

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Inevitable_Dog_2200@reddit

I used to feel so guilty, but still end up needing 1 or 2 a year just I'd go in and then be sent home by a confused manager questioning why I even went in. The last year has been a health nightmare for me and I got the feedback from all fronts that the fact I didn't take more time off/pushed until breaking point was a big problem both for my health and the company. Part of my return to work was agreeing to say if I'm sick, so I don't feel guilty anymore. They don't want you working yourself to death generally, makes for a lot of paperwork 😅

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Tski247@reddit

That long ago I can't remember, it was well before COVID when I had a sick day. I've worked from home since then. I've not felt unwell enough not to fall out of bed and put my computer on apart from a hangover but even then.🤷🏾‍♂️

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CarlMacko@reddit

I’m very lucky in that im rarely unwell, however if I ever felt sick enough i couldn’t go to work, i would not feel guilty at all.

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aacexo@reddit

Ngl the fact that where I work, they would replace me in a flash, I take my sick pay, i don’t feel guilty

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waxfutures@reddit

The last time was about a year and a half ago, the second time I got COVID. Worked from home on the Thursday when I tested positive, then Friday I felt like death. Spent the whole weekend in bed, then still felt too rough to work on Monday. Carried on working from home Tuesday onwards for the rest of the week.

The following week I got back into the office and had to complete a multiple page form and an interview with my manager, who was fully aware of why I was off. I could understand why if I was going off sick regularly for weeks at a time, but this was my first period of sickness ever and it was for two days. And on the first of those days I actually logged in at my usual time and started work before realising that I wasn't up to it.

Since they made it feel like I was being punished, I've made sure to never go off sick again. If I get ill I'll just work from home if I can, and if I'm too ill to work I'll take it as annual leave instead.

Life in the NHS.

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Artistic_Ad4753@reddit

Whenever I feel like not going in, if I'm not feeling good il stay home as long as my bills are paid

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zoltan_g@reddit

If you are sick, stay at home.

Nobody wants to be around some macho idiot spreading illness around, pretending to be too tough to say he's ill.

It's nothing to do with work ethic, pride or anything else if you are sick. Just get over it.

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jiggjuggj0gg@reddit

The work ethic thing really winds me up. Some people get sick more often than others for all kinds of reasons. Being too unwell to work doesn't make you lazy, or mean you have a poor work ethic, it means you are a human being.

As someone who does get ill more often, and gets hit harder by bugs for whatever reason, I wouldn't need as much time off sick if people stopped coming in to spread their bugs about.

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dibblah@reddit

Yep. I've taken a lot of time off sick for cancer treatment.

As a result I not only have less sick time left to take, but am more likely to get severely ill from my colleagues illnesses.

We get three months full pay so they have no excuse to come in and make me unwell.

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LetsGoMugEm@reddit

Ive had 2 sick days in the last 10 years and that when i was forced to in 2022 becsuee i had covid quite bad

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Affectionate_Bat617@reddit

When I really need to, I do.

I WFH, so some colds or feeling a bit run down I can still work.

When I'm feeling too ill or too much brain fog, I just call in sick. No point trying to even try.

So probably 10 sick days a year.

When I worked on campus, it was more because I'd catch more viruses and if need more energy to get there.

You're allowed to be ill. You're allowed to put your health and mental health 1st. If anything happened to you, the company would move on without you. Iris the company needed to save money you'd also be out.

It's good to have a good work ethic, which I do, but it's also important to look after yourself.

Take the rest of the week off. You'll need it with the flu as you may be feeling better but it'll drag on if you try and soldier on through. You'll also infected your team.

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coleslawontoast@reddit

At my last job I had no sick days in 20 years as I felt part of a team in a small family run pub, I saw off 3 set of landlords in that time

In my current job iv being in for just a year iv had 3 days sick as I feel like just another number so won't put myself out for them

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Screaming_lambs@reddit

Bring someone who has ended up in hospital with chest infection symptoms which were bad enough to get a chest x-ray, and it turned out to be pneumonia, I say stay at home. If you definitely have the flu it can be really dangerous for some people to catch it. Apparently there's a new mutation of it this year so it's getting around quicker.

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toilet-breath@reddit

In the first 2 years, as little as possible or I WFH. After 2 years, when it’s needed I take it

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blondererer@reddit

I went for years with barely any because I wasn’t sick. Over the past 12 months, I’ve had about 28, because I developed a condition requiring surgery.

If you need them (and can afford to) they are there to be taken.

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Aggravating_Ad5632@reddit

I had a meeting with the new big, big boss because I had the highest rate of sickness in the company. I'm disabled, and HR were made aware of this during my interview. I had been employed for 10 years, with pretty much the same number of sick days off per year from day one. At every yearly appraisal, I smashed it - out of a 1 to 5 rating, I only ever got 4s and 5s, and I never left a task uncompleted. This was despite the fact that I averaged 3 months of sickness per year, or in other words, I satisfactorily completed 12 months work in 9 months for 10 years in a row. I should add that at no time was I ever given less work to do than my colleagues; I actually insisted on this because I didn't want to give the company an excuse to try and performance manage me out of my job.

The new boss didn't like the amount of time off I had to take, regardless of the fact that my line managers couldn't fault my output, made some particularly offensive comments about my time off that I took extreme umbrage to, and I ended up leaving and winning a constructive dismissal/disability discrimination case against the company.

I don't feel the slightest bit guilty about taking time off sick.

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welshdragoninlondon@reddit

It always annoys me when people come into work sick. Just passing germs to everyone else.

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ShihtzuMum39@reddit

To answer your question directly - as often as I am too ill to work and no I don’t.

Unsolicited advice - Going into work when unwell with these symptoms can spread the virus; going in when clearly unwell sets a precedent that it will be expected of others and doesn’t create a great culture.

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Wishmaster891@reddit

Wfh so never usually. But in June one monday morning around 9:30 i was in a teams meeting when all Of a sudden this 8/10 pain came on out of nowhere. I rode it out for a few mins before i started pacing around my flat in agony. Half hour later i was on the way to a nd e. 4 hours and a CT scan later i was given meds that eased the pain. Turns out it was Kidney stones. I had pain on and off for another 2 weeks and had another two days off. Since then no pain since, i am on a waiting list for some laser procedure thar zaps the stones but i’m not sure if i need it now.

Never felt pain like it, absolutely awful.

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QuarrieMcQuarrie@reddit

I thought I had somehow broken my back when I passed a kidney stone- excruciating.

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000000564@reddit

Please don't go into work if you're contagious. That's my rule. If I am incapable of working properly and/or would infect someone who'd get even more ill than me, then there's no point going in.

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Neo-Riamu@reddit

Well i will always call in sick when i am sick but so far that just been 2 working days of the year and one was my youngest child.

I have been unfortunate to not be ill during my working days but overall this year has been pretty good i have only have minor ailment with a grand total of 7 days total.

Usually I’m ill 2 weeks of the year which would normally seem me off work around 4 days.

But i suppose i do enjoy my work so really minor illnesses wont see me off and i also get an additional 1 week of a year on top of the legal minimum.

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redfern69@reddit

A couple of weeks ago I had two sick days, my first in about 3/4 years. I didn’t feel guilty at all. Had I gone to work I would have done nothing except sit in one of the toilet cubicles all day. Waste of time and risked getting everyone else ill too. Went back to work after my illness back on top form and felt much better for it.

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General-End4503@reddit

I rarely get ill, last sick day i had was 3 years ago, so I don't feel bad at all

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FilmFanatic1066@reddit

I’ve taken 3 days off this year because of a bad cold, I don’t feel guilty because I work in fintech and there are financial consequences for people if I make mistakes

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BeneficialVariety171@reddit

I work from home so rarely. I had 1 week this year and that’s because of a miscarriage.

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Not_Alpha_Centaurian@reddit

In my first 8 years on this job I took 1.5 sick days. In the last 4 years I've probably taken 10 or 12.

I've realised nobody rewards you for coming in every day, so if I'm sick, I take a sick day. Even if I'm at 90% and I could plough through with a bit of effort.... nah, there's no reward, I take a sick day.

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LDNSarah@reddit

About two years ago I had a sick day because I felt completely wiped. Went back to bed and slept until 6pm.

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dean012347@reddit

People that I work with or report to me I’d absolutely be telling not to work in your condition. Being able to rest properly is huge for recovery and you’re not going to be productive.

I’m bad at taking my own advice and I’ll only tend to take a day off if I’m ill to the point I can’t function. Usually by that point I’m passed feeling guilty.

In answer to the other question it was a half day recently with this thing that’s going around, 2 days for Covid and would probably be 4-5 years before that. I wish I could say I have a great immune system but in reality is an unhealthy relationship with sick days.

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Affectionate_Day7543@reddit

Had 8 days this year over 2 instances. One in January and another last month. My workplace uses the Bradford system so even if I’m feeling better after a day or 2 I now take the whole week off. I learned the hard way by going back as soon as I felt better resulted in reaching triggers quicker. Now I just don’t rush back and take my time.

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signalstonoise88@reddit

If I’m ill, I take the day off; simple as. If that’s 1 in a year, or 10, so be it. I am always honest about it as I get on well with my bosses; have never “pulled a sickie” in my current job (only at an old job where the boss was a prick).

With that said, I’m a teacher; for safeguarding reasons I can’t just up and leave a classroom will of kids unsupervised, so whilst I’ll usually try and persevere with going to work if the illness is a cold/flu type thing, I won’t take any chances if it’s the shits/vomiting.

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Go2Matt@reddit

Probably not flu, Youve managed to use the internet.

When I had flu if the house was on fire, you'd have found my charred remains in bed!!

Yes I know you can have a bad and a not so bad version...........

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Jeremys_Iron_@reddit

I remember having flew about 20 years ago. I literally had to crawl to get to another room due to vertigo and fatigue. Pretty nuts when I think about it.

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Go2Matt@reddit

I think mine was 1996 and it was known as a bad year. 4 days in we called the Dr to come round. I managed to get downstairs, By sliding on my backside.

Got on the coach, he came round and said it was Flu, I said sorry that sounded nothing like meningitis, he chuckled and said this is why people die from flu.

Whats odd is that the mrs at the time didn't get it even though we slept in the same bed.......

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DCMCG1993@reddit

I've worked for my current company for approaching 3 years. During that time, I've been ill enough to be off work 3x and all happened to land during my annual leave - typical, right? Only one of the occurrences spilled back over into working days where I took 3 days off to ensure I was fully over the illness but also through sheer frustration for being ill during leave yet again.

Most of my colleagues in my team are pretty good and more often than not childcare and other reasonable issues crop up moreso than sick leave. There is one colleague who takes any chance to have a day off if they have a runny nose or tickly cough, and typically it's just the 1 day so they can't be that unwell. Having said that, people experience fatigue from the day to day, especially if it's a significant commute to and from work. To add to that some people have childcare commitments or relatives with long term illnesses so I don't call this type of thing out because there may well be more to it. From now on though I will definitely take extra days off to ensure I'm definitely recovered, not spread any illness and also just generally to decompress and get on top of other tasks I've been meaning to do. Companies generally account for a set amount of days sick leave per year per employee so if you rarely take sick leave I'd definitely make the most of it to recover and rebound adequately. Having said that if it's minor always start with some paracetamol/medicines as a few times per year I feel like I'm becoming run down and a good night's sleep is all I needed.

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Least-Entrepreneur23@reddit

I take them when I'm ill. I have no guilt whatsoever. I hate people that come to work when their sick and risk passing it on to everyone else, but act like they're doing everyone a favour by struggling on. Yeah, thanks for that

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BowiesFixedPupil@reddit

I've got a daughter in nursery so unfortunately it comes round more often than if like. Traditionally I've rarely taken any time but probably on 2-3 periods per year, usually a day or two with maybe a one week illness per year.

Definitely don't feel guilty. Am not made to feel guilty at all and if my team are unwell I put no pressure on them at all.

We get ill. Sometimes we can get by working from home, sometimes we aren't able to work and need rest. That's life and most people get that.

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ImThatBitchNoodles@reddit

As often as I need to, if the manager insists that I go in, I do. I don't force myself to perform, though. I just work at the level that I'm at and they end up sending me home anyway, as they can see I'm not well enough to be there.

Last time I ignored feeling unwell I went to work for 3 days. On the 4th day, I got blue lighted to A&E, literally half dead, with meningitis. I was in hospital for 2 weeks and ordered another 2 weeks of bed rest. By the end of it all, I was sacked because the employer said it would take a long time for me to recover completely, and I won't be able to work as hard. Never again.

I don't feel guilty. If I were to die, they'd replace me in a week. I'm a number or name on a payroll.

My jobs are just places where I go to offer my services and manual labour, and get paid for it. That's it.

Feeling bad for putting yourself and your health first is slavery mentality, it's the agenda businesses owners and shit managers pushed for years and years, they convinced people that if you prioritise yourself you're of bad character, selfish and uncaring towards the business needs and work colleagues.

Employers who actually care are very rare, unicorns even. I'm not saying they don't exist, but they're definitely a minority.

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Western_Presence1928@reddit

I'm currently on my third week after catching covid. I testing negative now but the muscles and joints in my arms and legs are still aching. My taste buds have got a permanent sweet taste as well.

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Sh0D10N@reddit

I’ve not been off sick in 3 years, and yes I feel guilty. I WFH 3 days a week though so that helps. We get 3 instances of sick a year, payed at full rate.

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crue3l-intentions@reddit

I don’t feel guilty about prioritising my health over a company who’d replace me in 2 seconds

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klmarchant23@reddit

I’m immunocompromised so I catch all the bugs going round the office. Despite our work paying for you for sick days (up to a certain number), people still come in when they’re ill.

I’ve had 7.5 ish days off in the last 12-13 months with a mix of viruses, infections, pleurisy and other pains.

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Jimmy90081@reddit

Not as many as I’d like, but far more than I should.

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twojabs@reddit

11 years v there been clear they don't care about safety coming back into the office so therefore if I'm sick with cold of flu I'll be in too.

When would I call in? If someone died or if I had a mad accident. Not many other excuses.

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aries_163@reddit

If I’m sick, I’m sick so I take a day. I know there’s different circumstances for everyone, but at my work all my colleagues that I interact with are salaried so aren’t really losing any pay by not being in. And I work in food manufacturing so there’s an added reason to not be in work spreading illness.

I personally find it really selfish when people come into work sick, are coughing and sneezing and blowing their nose, then touching the printer and the kettle, etc, and just spreading their germs around for me to catch and become infected with. I’d rather pick up your slack for a day or 2 than get ill. Stay home and protect those around you from illness. Did the events of 5 years ago really not teach people anything about staying away from other people when you’re ill?!

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cgknight1@reddit

Never but what does that matter? If you need a sick day, take one.

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EatingCoooolo@reddit

Over the last 10 years I’ve had maybe 2 sick days. I am now permanent and will be using the full allowed days of the year.

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SoggyWotsits@reddit

None in probably the last 3 years, maybe longer. The last time was only the one day because I had a stomach bug. I work with family and people I actually like, so I wouldn’t take sick days just because I can. It only makes more work for them and more work for me when I get back! I suppose it’s different for those who work for a faceless company.

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HighWaterSheriff@reddit

Since I got my first quantity surveying graduate job three and a half years ago I have had two absences totalling four sick days, both times flu or Covid to the extent I didn’t feel well enough to even work from home (feverish/slightly delirious). I’m quite chuffed with that - I’m on biological medicine that reduces my immune system, it means these things hit like a tonne of bricks. My income has more than doubled in those three and a half years, plus I really enjoy my job, so I feel it’s worthwhile avoiding absence unless totally necessary.

Previously I worked in a local government call centre for ten years including through uni and for at least nine of those ten years I was on an attendance warning. Must have had at least 30 separate absences, some legitimate some skiving. Never got as far as capability hearing but came fucking close.

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MoshizZ@reddit

I was ill with a flu type a few weeks ago and felt terrible. Had 1 day off and worked from home the rest of the week.

Now I’ve got it again, but exactly like yours, shivering etc, I’m dreading calling my manager. He’ll be fine with it, I just have this feeling that it looks like I’m taking the piss and I hate it.

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Misher_Masher@reddit

I had a couple sick days in October when I came down with something and a few days in January when I had a trapped nerve in my back and literally could not stand up straight let alone drive to work or sit at a desk all day.

No guilt whatsoever. For starters my manager is cool, he's a really good bloke and honestly didn't give two shits. Secondly my job is my job alone, if I am off it's only me that's got to pick the work back up, which due to the nature of the job itself is easy to do.

The most important thing for my manager is that I am not off on the 1st of the month, that's when basically it's all systems go mode. I've never been sick on the 1st. Sometimes I think we just kinda hold out when we need to. Same as when I usually end up being sick when I have a holiday lol. Like your body goes.. yep you can get fucked now i've held you together all this time.

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cheeseley6@reddit

Can't remember the last time I had a sick day other than for an operation, and even then I went back earlier. Might have been about 10 years ago when I had the shits? Plenty of times I've felt like having a sick day though.

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Mikon_Youji@reddit

I very rarely take a day off because I'm sick, but on the rare occasions that I do I don't feel even a little bit guilty. You're sick and you need rest, nothing to feel bad about. We can't control when we get ill, after all.

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suzululi@reddit

I’m self-employed. I take the day off work when I don’t feel well because I don’t want to give a cold to a client but it does suck as that means I won’t get paid.

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sleepyprojectionist@reddit

I have a sleep disorder, an autoimmune condition, a genetic disorder and occasional IBD flare ups, so when I’m ill, I’m really ill.

I feel guilty about dumping extra work on my colleagues, but that’s as far as it extends.

On a couple of occasions I have forced myself to go back to work too soon and have ended up making myself feel worse and have only served to spread an infection around the building.

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Gashmina@reddit

I take as many as I need, which isn't many at all but if I'm genuinely too ill to work then I don't work. Zero guilt and you shouldn't feel guilty either, you can't help being ill. If you go in you make yourself feel worse and also pass on your illness to your colleagues. Just take a day off it's not that deep

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Proper_North_5382@reddit

I had maybe 3 to 4 sick days in the lady 6 years due to flu and working in retail and feeling absolutely shit to then work nights. Didn't take any sick days in the last year even though I maybe should have but it was a week before half term (I work in a school now) and everyone had the lurgy.

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WeRegretToInform@reddit

If I’m sick enough to take a sick day, I’m sick enough not to feel guilty for it.

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PigletAlert@reddit

Generally if I’m unable to look at a screen or sit upright i take the time off. That’s been the case twice this year. I used to feel guilty but work culture is so poor now it’s becoming very normal for people to be off long term with stress so I no longer feel bad about 1-2 days here and there

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