Lee calls in sick on day one

Oh dear, not auspicious: Lee McQueen has called in sick on his first day as Big Al's new apprentice.

This definitely counts as getting off on the wrong foot, for all that I am sure that his illness is genuine. (No one who had been caught lying on his CV could take the risk of creating a questionable sick note, although in most cases anyone whose stomach upset creates a long weekend is automatically looked at a little suspiciously, even if they spend the next fortnight in hospital.)

I understand the argument that sick people who come in to the office, brag about their levels of commitment and promptly infect the rest of the workforce with some disgusting disease are not actually benefiting the world.

But there's still something about having to call in sick that makes me feel like a terrible shirker who is playing the system - even though, being freelance, I don't actually get sick pay and am therefore not costing anyone anything.

So I can only imagine that Lee - who fought like a dancing dinosaur to win his position and gave every sign of actually wanting to do the job - feels terrible about not being able to start on time. On the other hand, there's probably not a lot to be gained from turning up at work so unwell that the only part of the induction you remember is where the lavatories are.

What would you do in his situation? Turn up on day one, no matter how ill you felt? Or wait until you felt well enough to make a good impression?

And do things change once you're established? Should you soldier on or take the time to recover at home, in bed?

I tend to favour a middle way - turning up despite being ill, but disguising my symptoms so that no one realises I feel terrible. This does mean I can't brag about my commitment but it also means I avoid getting the blame if everyone else starts to get sore throats too.

 

Comments

[Ms Ferozi]

He may have jetlag or be recovering from excesses of sun and cheap alcohol. Or he could be genuinely ill, no doubt Sir Allen and HR will keep a close eye. http://ferozi.blogspot.com

[Carly Chynoweth]

I really doubt that it's anything self-inflicted. I can't believe that anyone who had to work that hard to get the job would then jeopardise it like that.

[Marky Mark]

Wasn't yesterday also the hottest day of the year?
A coincidence surely.

[Carly Chynoweth]

Weirdly that's what makes me even more convinced that he must be sick - I am sure that he wants this job and wouldn't do anything stupid to risk it.

[Gregory Penn]

Who cares?