I had to call in sick today, and they gave me a bit of a hard time. Should I feel bad?

[Anonymous]

I work in a bookstore, and it's a pretty good job. I've been working there for about 3 months, and for the most part I like it. Sure, there have been days when I didn't want to go, but once I get there, the people are so awesome that I usually feel better.

However, this past week I've worked five days in a row, and by the end of this week I will have worked ten days in a row. Seven hour shifts, too.

Today I woke up with a splitting headache and a sore throat, and a massively overwhelmed/stressed feeling. Not to mention that I am SERIOUSLY overtired. After much deliberation, I decided it would be best to call in sick, since I knew I wouldn't be much use at the store.

This is the first time I've called in sick, and when I called and talked to the manager, she reminded me about the big visit from head office, and said they could give me a different day off. I briefly thought about it, but said that I really wasn't feeling well, and I wouldn't be much use. So she said that if I wasn't going to come in today, she would need to see a doctors note.

At first I caved, and said I would take some Tylenol and come in. But after hanging up the phone I had a bit of a breakdown. I called the doctor and made an appointment, and then called the manager back and told her that I really couldn't come in today, that I was sorry, and that I would bring her a doctor's note tomorrow.

I'm just feeling really guilty now, and as stupid as it sounds, I don't want them to be mad at me. Seeing as I had never called in sick before, I don't really know how it works. Do you ALWAYS have to give a doctor's note? Even if you call in sick for one day? Should I be feeling bad/guilty/worried? Or should I just think "it's their problem if they're mad at me"...

[Anonymous]

It sucks having to manage limited staff and employee absences make it miserable for the management, but at the same point, its not your fault either. The problem with sick days when you work in those kind of positions is that SOMEONE has to make up the work ... It's one of those things that sucks from either perspective. Calling in at the last minute sucks for everyone involved -- the boss hates being a bitch, but being nice doesn't solve the problem of not having someone there who needs to be there.

Maybe if you get to feeling better, you can come in after the doctor's appt. and then get a few days off later. At the same point, if you don't feel better, you can't do anything about being sick. The manager likely isn't mad at you, just overstressed because they are working long hours on top of having to deal with all the employees. It's not an easy job.

[Shazam]

Hey. That's perfectly fine. Bosses can be really selfish. Just wanting what they want and being inconsiderate of you. It's unfair. Maybe, that you were going to have an important visit made it seem really like bad timing, but hey what can you do? About the doctor's note, I guess different places have different policies. Enjoy your time off and don't think of work till you're there again. You can say sorry for the bad timing or something like that.

[TimePhantom]

Unfortunately that sounds kind of normal now, employers want to work their employees to death and put their health and outside life secondary. Your manager was probably more upset because they were getting a visit from her boss and it doesn't look good on her when they ask why one of her employees is not at work. Also you've only been there a few months and generally businesses don't like you to take a day off after only being there a short time. Don't feel guilty though, employers want you to feel guilty and they want you to never call in sick for work. It's messing with people's minds because now people will go in to work when they are sick and several people don't take vacation days off.

[Belgie]

Generally you use a doctors note if you're absent for 2 days or more. Employers can set their own rules though.

If she's being a d*** about it, then just go to the doctor anyway.

You shouldn't feel guilty. You're not pulling a sicky, and unless you were told when you were hired that you could be working 10 days straight, they're the ones abusing you.

So f*** 'em if they're annoyed at you.

[CindiluvsFriends]

It's her,not you. Generally,managers require a doctors note if you're out more than a couple of days. She's just concerned about the store itself what with the 'big boys' coming in.

Don't worry about it-she's just being a bitch.