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Tried to call in sick …

Emily97

By Emily97
in Coping with Celiac Disease

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Emily97 Newbie
Emily97
Posted

Went out to Lunch at the weekend, an item on the menu was incorrectly labelled as gluten free and I accidentally got “glutened” — feel absolutely terrible as I’ve been gluten free for years with no slip ups: nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, brain fog, migraine, the absolutely works. Tried to call in sick to my boss today for tomorrow (so she can find cover as we’re short staffed), and she was completely unsympathetic. Asked why I didn’t “check” the menu as though I’d intentionally make myself sick  then said I sounded fine, (I don’t know she’d expect me to sound I don’t have a cold?) and then she said I had all of the night to recover even though I tried to explain to her this is such a bad attack because I’ve avoided gluten for so long. She said to call back in the morning but I don’t know what to do or say? I feel incredibly frustrated.

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trents Grand Master
trents
Posted

Yes, it's hard for those who don't have a gluten disorder to understand how ill it can make you when you get glutened. It might help to put together a concise description of what celiac disease is and what the symptoms are to educate your boss. In the meantime, if you are still sick in the morning, take her up on her suggestion and call in sick.

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Wheatwacked Veteran
Wheatwacked
Posted

If there is a next time, maybe just say nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea. You'll see how the night passes and check in in the morning, but it is bad, likely not be in, so giving her a heads up.

They don't care.  A Celiac being glutened, to the non Celiac person, is like an alchoholic calling in after getting drunk. 

 

 

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Kurlykaitlyn Explorer
Kurlykaitlyn
Posted

Hi Emily, 

sorry to hear about the insensitivity of your boss. Unfortunately, this is quite common for people like us with an autoimmune disease to be misunderstood, unless the other has an autoimmune disease themselves or knows someone personal. I think it’s a good choice to call the night before, as you had done, and give your boss a heads up on what happened and how you’re doing. Then call back in the morning to give the final answer if you’re healthy to go in or not. 
You know your body more than anyone and your limits. If you need to call out tomorrow, then call out. Not sure where you are, but here in California it’s illegal for employers to harass or fire you over illness. You have rights so find out what they are and trust you’re doing what’s right for yourself. 

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Emily97 Newbie
Emily97
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Posted

UPDATE: I called in sick this morning, and spoke to the supervisor instead of the manager; totally different attitude, was so understanding and nice about everything.

I still feel absolutely horrendous, as I say, I’ve avoided gluten for so long — the symptoms are hitting me hard. I’m going to call out again tomorrow, but anxious about getting through to my actual boss and fear she’s just going to think I’m pulling a sicky because this mistake actually happened on Sunday and as previously stated she was unsympathetic, previously.

Does anyone have any advice on what to say?

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trents Grand Master
trents
Posted

It's too bad you had to go over your boss' head to the next level. I hope that doesn't have negative repercussions for your relationship with your boss. Did you explain to the supervisor why you were appealing to her, i.e., that your boss wasn't receptive to your need to take a sick day or two? I'm asking because it seems to me that a conversation needs to be had between the supervisor and your boss to address the boss' attitude.

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Emily97 Newbie
Emily97
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Posted
5 minutes ago, trents said:

It's too bad you had to go over your boss' head to the next level. I hope that doesn't have negative repercussions for your relationship with your boss. Did you explain to the supervisor why you were appealing to her, i.e., that your boss wasn't receptive to your need to take a sick day or two? I'm asking because it seems to me that a conversation needs to be had between the supervisor and your boss to address the boss' attitude.

Supervisor in this case is actually below my boss! I typically report directly to a manager, but my supervisor can handle sickness, other call outs etc. She’s lovely. I was considering going to HR though. I’ve heard through the grapevine she’s trying to bully people into not calling out before by guilt tripping them about staff shortness, etc.

I plan on leaving the company very soon.

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RMJ Mentor
RMJ
Posted

Your glutening is obviously not contagious.  But if someone is bullying people to come to work when ill with something contagious that is really not good and will just lead to more people being ill - counterproductive.

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silverbirchu2 Rookie
silverbirchu2
Posted
On 7/17/2023 at 11:35 PM, Emily97 said:

Went out to Lunch at the weekend, an item on the menu was incorrectly labelled as gluten free and I accidentally got “glutened” — feel absolutely terrible as I’ve been gluten free for years with no slip ups: nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, brain fog, migraine, the absolutely works. Tried to call in sick to my boss today for tomorrow (so she can find cover as we’re short staffed), and she was completely unsympathetic. Asked why I didn’t “check” the menu as though I’d intentionally make myself sick  then said I sounded fine, (I don’t know she’d expect me to sound I don’t have a cold?) and then she said I had all of the night to recover even though I tried to explain to her this is such a bad attack because I’ve avoided gluten for so long. She said to call back in the morning but I don’t know what to do or say? I feel incredibly frustrated.

 

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silverbirchu2 Rookie
silverbirchu2
Posted
Just now, silverbirchu2 said:

 

Hi I'm so sorry to hear about this I can tell you something though you can get a sick note from your doctor that's if you'd be able to get to an appointment she sounds very unkind  I have to tell you something I had a relative that use to phone sick he put it on a bit so he wouldn't be asked to come jn to work you have sound very sad and even try and cry don't sound happy when you phone and something I've been told by my oroffesir of gastrology gluton stays in the body for up to two weeks so tell your manager this it doesient just go overnight if she says how do you know tell her a friend told you her professor of gastrology said  don't forget sound serious when you phone in sick don't sound happy on phone drink water it helps flush my gluton out I've found fresh mint with a teabag just dip in cup quickly helps my stomach don't forget sound serious on phone 😊 

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