I hate calling in!
By katsmeow1213
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
United States
September 26, 2012 8:06am CST
Not because of how badly I want to go to work, LOL.
I don't call in often, even if I am feeling sort of sick. I guess I just feel like I'm letting someone down by not showing up, and I can always hear it in my managers voice when I call in.
Today I had to call in because my 4 year old is really sick and needed to stay home from school. I don't have any back up babysitters when my son is sick, so I had to call in to stay home with him. My husband has done it before, but he can't call in today at all because he's the only manager there.
So I called my boss to let her know, and she sounded very annoyed. It made me hate having to do it, but what else could I do?
I haven't taken much time off work since I got this job about a year ago. I left early once due to a stomach bug, and I called in on Monday due to my dizziness and the fact I was in the ER Sunday night. I went yesterday though I wasn't feeling better.. that's how much I hate to call in.
I feel really guilty about calling in today, but I had no other options since there was no way I could try to send my son to school with how he's feeling.
How do you feel about calling into work?
3 people like this
14 responses
@silverfox09 (4708)
• United States
29 Sep 12
Boss do get annoyed when ever you call in because they dont really care about you most time . Awkward moment when you call in sick and then run into your boss at a restaurant 
, and you know they saw you because one of the other employee was pointing lol ...
At least you were really sick and dont feel guilty because your health comes first .
, and you know they saw you because one of the other employee was pointing lol ...
At least you were really sick and dont feel guilty because your health comes first . 
@sheila2666 (90)
• United States
29 Sep 12
thanks. But at only twenty four hours a week I need the money
@courtknee525 (3742)
• United States
26 Sep 12
Calling in sick is the worst. Whenever I used to do it some of the managers would seem really annoyed, but the managers who acted like that were always the ones who were rude even on regular days. There were times my managers were really understanding and sweet about it. Either way, it was frustrating because I never knew what I was going to get. ONe time I had to call in because my car wouldn't start and my parents were out of town. The supervisor was saying oh you need to find someone to jump it so you can come in, even if it's late. She was being very pushy and I wasn't about to have someone jump my car when i wasn't even sure what the problem was.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
26 Sep 12
I think to some managers that sounds like a bad excuse.
I had to call in late one time due to car trouble. I called on my way in, explained what happened, but said I was on my way. She was fine with it. It was the first time I ever had to call in late at all. I've called in late probably 3 times in the year I've been there and only twice was I actually late. I called each time just to be safe because I wasn't certain if I'd be there on time or not. The most was about 10 minutes late for a meeting I had for my daughter. She was extremely understanding about that.
@laglen (19759)
• United States
26 Sep 12
My pay depends on tips rather than an hourly wage. I get paid minimum wage ($7.65) but can make easily over a hundred dollars in tips in about 5 hours. No I do not like to call in sick. I have been working at the same place for 14 years. I called in sick once. I have had multiple jobs through out this time as a second job. One I worked at about a year and a half, I never called in sick. Another job I hated I worked there for 6 months and called in sick about 8 times 
hhhmmm go figure.
hhhmmm go figure.@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
26 Sep 12
I hated working at Subway, but I never called in. I just don't like to at all, no matter how much I dislike the job.
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
26 Sep 12
Like a day's rest. :D
Seriously, I don't feel that bad about it. I don't do it that often, and I'm entitled to once in a while. If I was taking advantage, then I ought to feel bad. But then my manager never took "the tone" with me either. He just assumed it was legit, said "feel better", and that was it. Of course, we also had the option to work from home, so if it was a sick child, we could stay home and still work.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
26 Sep 12
She did say that she hopes he feels better. I'm sure she's understanding because of how infrequently I do call in.. I just hate to do it. I guess I always think they're going to assume I'm lying, even though I rarely call in.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
26 Sep 12
I had a strong work ethic like you and hated to call in sick but sometimes stuff happens and it is necessary. Like you said - there was no option and so you had to do it. I hope however,that you are doing better today and not feeling so ill. Your record at work is good and your manager was probably just concerned as to how they would manage. Don't worry about it too much. I hope your son is feeling better by now
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
26 Sep 12
He is starting to feel better actually. He should be able to go to school tomorrow, thankfully because tomorrow is picture day!
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
7 Oct 12
I also hate calling in sick.
I know that my job allows for a few sick days, but I really hate it when I let people down.
Or sometimes, I feel it's my insecurities. I feel like that I always have to prove myself at work, and calling in sick just diminishes whatever 'good standing' I have built in.
@Jshean20 (14348)
• Canada
27 Sep 12
I really don't like calling into work either, I always feel like I'm letting people down and that people are going to judge me and think I'm being lazy or something. Lets face it though, things happen, people get sick, emergencies happen and there is nothing we can do about it. The interesting thing with my job, is there is actually a "sick line" to call into and you never have to talk with a person, just an answering machine so this is a lot easier.
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
28 Sep 12
I have worked at the same job for 27 years...and have called in sick twice....and man was I sick. My boss still kept on saying that maybe I should come in? I was so sick I almost passed out. I had the flu and crawled from the bathroom to the couch in the living room. There was no way I could work. I also feel guilty....but some sure don't. Alot of them call in on a regular basis!
@shaggin (72141)
• United States
26 Sep 12
I hated having to call into work as well. I didnt have kids when I worked so I rarely called in sick as I was very healthy. It would be really nervous about having to call in and tell them I couldnt make it in. I understand your bosses position but I understand yours as well and sometimes you cannot help but call off.
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
26 Sep 12
I hope your son gets to feeling better soon. Fortunately i was my own boss for the last 20 years i worked but i felt that way towards my customers if i was sick. Most of them didn't think anyone else could fix their hair like i did, lol. Not being conceited but they were right.
@angelkarah050182 (4980)
• Philippines
26 Sep 12
I guess you should prioritize your son. I don't know if your manager has a son, too. If she has, maybe she knows how you feel.
With my four years stay in my job, I've never called in yet. We weren't allowed to get absent. No leaves, too. Can you imagine having an "upset stomach," "fever," "cough and cold" at work? Teaching with a very hoarse voice? Yes, what terrible rules we got here. I wish to have another job but the opportunity is very slow to knock. LOL. Happy mylotting.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
28 Sep 12
I have never been the kind of person that liked to call in sick either. When I worked at the hospital, I wouldn't do it unless I actually felt like I was dying because I knew that they were chronically under staffed. I knew that if I was to call in sick to work that there would not be enough people to take care of the patients and that made me feel really bad. In addition to that, I also hated the fact that I was called so often to come into work when I wasn't scheduled because other people were always calling in sick to work.
@41CombedaleRoad (5952)
• Greece
27 Sep 12
When I was working I hated calling in when I had problems at home so I worked for several years as a temporary office secretary. I remember the terrible tug of war between work and children. I felt guilty whatever I did because I was needed in two places. You took the right path in putting your son first. The office manager will forget in a week or two that you did not make it, but your son may remember for years if you are not there when he needs you. I hope your son is feeling much better now.
@kemak28 (724)
• United States
26 Sep 12
I used to feel the same way I think it's normal to feel that way. But then I know people would call in when they're not really sick so that would always make me feel better and I would tell myself I'm actually sick... and you're doing them a favor by not spreading germs at work!
