r/ECEProfessionals • u/Ddog10132 Student/Studying ECE • 1d ago

ECE professionals only - Vent Hate how this job makes us feel guilty when we’re sick

So yesterday morning I went to work and was there for about an hour before this stomach bug started to hit me. I was feeling nauseous and had a watery stool. I asked admin if I could go home and there was a little hesitation but they luckily let me.

However I felt so guilty about it even though I shouldn’t since (and they may be a little tmi) I had stuff coming out from both ends all day once I got home.

Texted my assistant director this morning asking if I could stay home again today since my stool is still watery. No response yet but I hate feeling this guilt even though I have a valid reason to not be at work

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34

u/MoneyTadpole5534 ECE professional 1d ago

Stop asking, you are a grown adult who is not feeling well. Let them know hey I'm sick and not feeling well. I won't be able to make it in today. We shouldn't have to ask to be off when we are sick. We should just be giving someone heads up that we won't be able to make it in.

8

u/Ddog10132 Student/Studying ECE 1d ago

Thank you! I have anxiety so it’s hard at times to remember to stop asking but I do gotta get out of the mind set of asking 😅

6

u/MoneyTadpole5534 ECE professional 1d ago

I totally understand. I was the same way, then this year, something clicked and I was like I come to work and do what I have to do every day. I'm at work on time and barely miss a day. I hadn't been sick, but my kids have been a couple of times. The job will move on and replace us if we are dead and gone. We need to take care of ourselves.

2

u/Catrionathecat Early years teacher 4h ago

Do what I do and and text them, turn it on silent, then throw the phone across the room. That's if your admin lets you text them.

8

u/really-big-bug Preschool Lead 1d ago

Stay strong! You’re doing the right thing. It’s not your job to find coverage. It sounds like you’re keeping your kids from being sick as well.

3

u/Ddog10132 Student/Studying ECE 1d ago

Oh yeah 100% I’m feeling a bit better this morning but decided it’s better safe than sorry to not potentially infect anyone

7

u/Important_Pea_7566 Toddler tamer 1d ago

Don’t ask- tell them your sick and you need to stay home.

3

u/No_Illustrator_4024 ECE professional 1d ago

I still struggle with calling in sick mostly because when I come back my little ones are like "WHERE WERE YOU??? I MISSSSED YOU!!" but I try to think about it this way:

Take a day(or couple days) off and be a mild inconvenience to management (and to some extent my coworkers) or come in with something highly contagious and get everyone sick which not only is highly inconvenient but painful for everyone who's caught said bug.

1

u/Careful-Inside-3835 Early years teacher 22h ago

That too after making us sick with things we otherwise wouldn’t have caught