Took a sick day on my first week of a new job
October 7, 2015 8:27 PM Subscribe
Hi, everyone. So it's only been my third day of a new job and I had to call in sick. I feel absolutely mortified and really worried about what my manager thinks of me now. I would have still gone if it was just the death-like flu symptoms, but I was also vomiting and I knew I wouldn't have been able to make it there, let alone the rest of the day. On top of that, my wallet was stolen at the doctor's office which had the employee security badge to enter the building inside it, so I'm going to have to ask for a replacement for that as well - in my first week! Talk about bad luck...
I called in to let my manager know, and she did say that she would rather not have me come in and spread germs in the office and it was best that I stayed home.Still, I'm very worried about the impression I may have given to her about my reliability. I don't want her to think I'm flaky and not fit for the position. My mind is so fuzzy right now, please help me figure out what I can to assure her that this was a one-time thing and she can be confident that she can trust me to be a reliable employee...
Thanks in advance, guys.
Aw, I feel your pain. You could ask if she'd like a note from the doctor, and maybe let her know how contagious your illness is. I hope you're feeling better tomorrow.
posted by three_red_balloons at 8:30 PM on October 7, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by three_red_balloons at 8:30 PM on October 7, 2015 [3 favorites]
Your manager hired you because they believe in you and your ability. A good manager will understand illness, but may be wary of absences. Just get better and come back to work soon, and all will be well.
A bad manager will see this with suspicion and use this as en excuse to lose their trust in you. This would be a mistake on their part. You don't want to work for a bad manager anyway. So, let this be a test.
I know it's difficult, but do your best to relax. It will be ok. You will feel better soon, then you will return to work and do the great job you were hired to do.
posted by samthemander at 8:38 PM on October 7, 2015 [15 favorites]
A bad manager will see this with suspicion and use this as en excuse to lose their trust in you. This would be a mistake on their part. You don't want to work for a bad manager anyway. So, let this be a test.
I know it's difficult, but do your best to relax. It will be ok. You will feel better soon, then you will return to work and do the great job you were hired to do.
posted by samthemander at 8:38 PM on October 7, 2015 [15 favorites]
If this were me I'd meet with my manager after I came back and ask if there was some way to make up the missed work. Most normal managers will say "don't worry about it". If your manager isn't normal - well, making up the work should get you back on track.
posted by JoeZydeco at 8:43 PM on October 7, 2015 [6 favorites]
posted by JoeZydeco at 8:43 PM on October 7, 2015 [6 favorites]
A note from the doc would not be a bad idea.
posted by bright and shiny at 8:51 PM on October 7, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by bright and shiny at 8:51 PM on October 7, 2015 [4 favorites]
Usually there's a three month probation right? In three months, this will have been swept away by the quality of your work over that period.
posted by wilful at 9:05 PM on October 7, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by wilful at 9:05 PM on October 7, 2015 [3 favorites]
I have managed a lot of people over the years. If a new person came to me and expressed what you did above, I would write it off as bad luck and not give it another thought. You know the difference between a person who is sincere and horrified by what you might think of their absence and a person who is flaky and taking advantage. You sound very sincere. Best thing to do is get well and show your manager going forward that they made the right choice in hiring you.
posted by cecic at 9:14 PM on October 7, 2015 [12 favorites]
posted by cecic at 9:14 PM on October 7, 2015 [12 favorites]
Employees do this all the time. Within a few weeks it will be obvious if you were just momentarily unlucky or are a flake. The best way forward is to offer to make up work and then simply be a kick ass colleague for the next few months, with no more drama or fuss.
posted by Dip Flash at 9:14 PM on October 7, 2015 [13 favorites]
posted by Dip Flash at 9:14 PM on October 7, 2015 [13 favorites]
Police report # for the wallet and employee ID theft?
posted by buzzman at 9:39 PM on October 7, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by buzzman at 9:39 PM on October 7, 2015 [3 favorites]
If you have a doctor's note, you could give them a copy. But my sense from your letter is that it's not worth another doctor visit. A police report seems needlessly over-the-top.
When you go back to the office, give your boss a short apology and then drop it. Too much apologizing, and/or promising impossible things like "I won't get sick again!" might indeed make you look flaky.
Just: attempt to adopt the attitude and mindset of a professional - one who has hit a spot of bad luck. Odds are you'll get back to work, settle in, not get sick again for months or years, and the entire incident will either be forgotten or relegated to one of those "remember when?" stories laughed about at lunch.
posted by doctor tough love at 11:17 PM on October 7, 2015 [5 favorites]
When you go back to the office, give your boss a short apology and then drop it. Too much apologizing, and/or promising impossible things like "I won't get sick again!" might indeed make you look flaky.
Just: attempt to adopt the attitude and mindset of a professional - one who has hit a spot of bad luck. Odds are you'll get back to work, settle in, not get sick again for months or years, and the entire incident will either be forgotten or relegated to one of those "remember when?" stories laughed about at lunch.
posted by doctor tough love at 11:17 PM on October 7, 2015 [5 favorites]
Our most recent hire did something like this, and yes, there is the moment where you worry if you've hired someone who will be missing a lot of work. OTOH just a few months later I have completely forgotten about that worry until I read the question here. Because who cares that someone missed a day? It's only the uncertainty that matters in this case, when an employee has literally no track record either way.
Do not overdo the explanations. I basically agree with doctor tough love --I'd find it weirder if someone wanted to "prove" they were sick and robbed. It's like you're telling me my job is going to include monitoring your crises, when (while I hope you're feeling better) the main thing is I really want you to come in to work every day without me having to think about it. And the only way to convince me you'll do that is not to talk about it, but do it once you're recovered.
If you're worried about first impressions I would make a point of being punctual (ie, early) if you can. You can ask if there's a policy about doctor's notes since you're new. Other than that do one apology to show you recognize it's unfortunate timing, and don't worry about it. You'll be judged on what you do in the office soon enough.
posted by mark k at 11:32 PM on October 7, 2015 [6 favorites]
Do not overdo the explanations. I basically agree with doctor tough love --I'd find it weirder if someone wanted to "prove" they were sick and robbed. It's like you're telling me my job is going to include monitoring your crises, when (while I hope you're feeling better) the main thing is I really want you to come in to work every day without me having to think about it. And the only way to convince me you'll do that is not to talk about it, but do it once you're recovered.
If you're worried about first impressions I would make a point of being punctual (ie, early) if you can. You can ask if there's a policy about doctor's notes since you're new. Other than that do one apology to show you recognize it's unfortunate timing, and don't worry about it. You'll be judged on what you do in the office soon enough.
posted by mark k at 11:32 PM on October 7, 2015 [6 favorites]
Bring in a note from the doctor, and just say, "I know this probably isn't necessary, but since you don't know me well yet, I wanted to make it extra clear that I was only here because I was incredibly sick!"
posted by Toddles at 3:59 AM on October 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Toddles at 3:59 AM on October 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
You're still working on your good will from the interview; don't worry about it. And look, it will soon become quite clear to your manager whether you're the kind of person that makes excuses or whether you're not that kind of person. I know exactly which of my reports is which.
If you're a salaried employee my personal advice would be not to offer a doctor's note unless you're asked.
posted by ftm at 5:36 AM on October 8, 2015 [2 favorites]
If you're a salaried employee my personal advice would be not to offer a doctor's note unless you're asked.
posted by ftm at 5:36 AM on October 8, 2015 [2 favorites]
There's not much your manager can do. I'm a very reasonable and understanding boss, but when this happens, I definitely wonder what's going to happen next. No matter how well someone interviews or presents themselves, you just don't know them until you've seen them work for a month or two. As much as I'd like to, I don't have 3 back up persons I can call to come in and work; I have to wait for the person to come back, and then I have to wait and see how reliable they are over time.
posted by Locochona at 5:43 AM on October 8, 2015
posted by Locochona at 5:43 AM on October 8, 2015
As a manager who brings in a lot of new people the (perhaps not necessary) note would help me understand that you are serious and also concerned about professionalism which would be an encouragement.
posted by French Fry at 6:17 AM on October 8, 2015
posted by French Fry at 6:17 AM on October 8, 2015
As a manager: if it happens once, I wouldn't blink an eye. People get sick, it happens, no need for a doctor's note or elaborate apology.
When it happens next week, and the week after: that's when I start thinking about letting somebody go. But the first time, even in the first couple days after hiring? Stop sweating it, you've got nothing to apologize for.
posted by AzraelBrown at 6:24 AM on October 8, 2015 [2 favorites]
When it happens next week, and the week after: that's when I start thinking about letting somebody go. But the first time, even in the first couple days after hiring? Stop sweating it, you've got nothing to apologize for.
posted by AzraelBrown at 6:24 AM on October 8, 2015 [2 favorites]
Honestly, a doctor's note when one wasn't required would strike me as strange, not professional.
posted by frumiousb at 6:26 AM on October 8, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by frumiousb at 6:26 AM on October 8, 2015 [2 favorites]
You just need to return to work once fit and do a good job / not flake out. This kind of thing will be erased once you're established.
posted by WeekendJen at 7:07 AM on October 8, 2015
posted by WeekendJen at 7:07 AM on October 8, 2015
This happened to me on the first DAY of a new job, once. I still kept the job for 2 years.
A new hire at my current job called in for two days the first week because his dog was sick. He kept the job for a year until he decided to leave for greener pastures.
Let your boss know that you are embarrassed by it, then put it behind you. It's your work and your reliability going forwards that matter.
posted by SLC Mom at 7:09 AM on October 8, 2015
A new hire at my current job called in for two days the first week because his dog was sick. He kept the job for a year until he decided to leave for greener pastures.
Let your boss know that you are embarrassed by it, then put it behind you. It's your work and your reliability going forwards that matter.
posted by SLC Mom at 7:09 AM on October 8, 2015
I've been your manager. Relax about this bit and try to rest and get healthy. How you perform when you are on the job over the next several weeks will go much much farther in impressions than these couple of mishaps.
posted by meinvt at 7:39 AM on October 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by meinvt at 7:39 AM on October 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
Based on your post it sounds like you're procrastinating on reporting your security badge stolen. You want to do that ASAP as that might be a bigger issue than you missing work, depending on how serious your company takes security.
My company for example has a 24-hour hotline for that kind of thing so they can get it deactivated.
posted by mayonnaises at 8:01 AM on October 8, 2015 [3 favorites]
My company for example has a 24-hour hotline for that kind of thing so they can get it deactivated.
posted by mayonnaises at 8:01 AM on October 8, 2015 [3 favorites]
In my experience, getting sick your first week/month of work is really common. New people, new germs. Depending on the boss, I've for sure joked about getting used to new germs upon my return from one of these deathwatches. It happens. I have also, in fact, seen a manager go tell a sick person in your position (first week of work) to go home. No one wants to be sick.
What matters is how well you do when you get back, so get better, go back well, and do your job well.
And wash your hands and clean up your desk when you get back. I used to work with a super-carrier and we practically bleached the whole office once a week to keep that girl healthy. :)
posted by Medieval Maven at 8:58 AM on October 8, 2015
What matters is how well you do when you get back, so get better, go back well, and do your job well.
And wash your hands and clean up your desk when you get back. I used to work with a super-carrier and we practically bleached the whole office once a week to keep that girl healthy. :)
posted by Medieval Maven at 8:58 AM on October 8, 2015
Response by poster: Thank you everyone for all your terrific input.
Update on the situation: I went in the next day (still really under the weather) and my manager actually took one look at me and told me to go home. I guess she sensed from my bloodshot eyes, hoarse voice and flu mask that I was still pretty sick. She even said I should have stayed home, but I told her I really didn't want to miss another day on my first week. I figured a doctor's note at that point was overkill. I was definitely more concerned about the security badge but it's basically just $20.00 for a replacement card and they'll deactivate my old one. I made a joke about sewing the new one on to my skin if need be...(sigh, the medication didn't help my humour).
Like you all said, I just have to prove from here onward that their faith in me was not misplaced. I'm feeling better physically and nerve-wise but I gotta say, the pressure is on.
posted by KTN at 6:27 PM on October 11, 2015
Update on the situation: I went in the next day (still really under the weather) and my manager actually took one look at me and told me to go home. I guess she sensed from my bloodshot eyes, hoarse voice and flu mask that I was still pretty sick. She even said I should have stayed home, but I told her I really didn't want to miss another day on my first week. I figured a doctor's note at that point was overkill. I was definitely more concerned about the security badge but it's basically just $20.00 for a replacement card and they'll deactivate my old one. I made a joke about sewing the new one on to my skin if need be...(sigh, the medication didn't help my humour).
Like you all said, I just have to prove from here onward that their faith in me was not misplaced. I'm feeling better physically and nerve-wise but I gotta say, the pressure is on.
posted by KTN at 6:27 PM on October 11, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by KTN at 8:29 PM on October 7, 2015