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How to avoid feeling guilty for taking a day off sick.

21/11/2016

6 Comments

 
So, it got me: the bug got me. I was doing so well to avoid getting sick, but it looks like my luck ran out! I was definitely too sick to teach, and I know this... but for a while I found myself resisting and actually considering forcing myself to go in!? Whyyyy!?

If you're like me and many other teachers around the world, you may be tempted to push yourself to teach when you're feeling sick anyway. (Ahem, yes I wrote a whole blog post on this last year!)  This time however, I decided to put myself first for a change and just stop feeling so guilty for a basic human need. I gave myself a proper pep talk which really helped me come to my senses, so if you too suffer with the guilt bug, then this is for you!

If you'd rather watch and listen to this article, then check out the video below:
Look after yourself because no one is going to do it for you.

Yeh sure, colleagues might be sympathetic for a bit (while gently edging further and further away from you whilst you have a coughing fit), but we know the reality of teaching is so demanding that we can't just "take it easy". We have to be on top form and run around after people all day. It will take a lot out of you if you try to teach...

I remember in my early years as a teacher, I would force myself in in the hopes that someone would tell me to go home when they saw how ill I was because I felt too guilty to stay home, but it never happened... I guess the motto was: "if you managed to get yourself there then you're expected to work like everyone else..." or maybe that was just where I was employed :P But really though, don't wait for anyone else to give you permission - you know what is best for you.

Another thing, don't expect any thanks or leniency for working when sick. Here's a good example: when I push myself to go in, I'm really proud of myself for doing so, but in reality, no one else cares - in fact, I usually get a slap in the face by having to cover someone else's class (who was smart enough to stay home)! How's that for a thank you!? The demands will still be there: kids will still act up, emails will need to be answered, deadlines met, photocopies made and you'll still be expected to stand in the freezing cold on duty... It's exhausting just thinking about it! Seriously, stay home and recover. That will all still be there for you when you get back!
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OK so what if you don't want to do it for anyone else, you want go in because of your own work ethic. I get that, I'm like that too! But here's the thing, despite being super proud of myself for soldiering on when ill, I've found it takes me an abnormally long time to get over a simple cold (I actually had one last 3 weeks once - yes, a full blown runny nose for 3 weeks and then the cough lingered for 6 weeks. That's not normal.) I realised it was because I was pushing myself too hard. Teaching takes too much out of us to let us heal properly. In reality, we're doing ourselves a disservice and prolonging our misery. So, this time I decided to be kind to myself and stay home to rest, and what do you know, I recovered really fast - a matter of days!! I almost, almost felt a little guilty as I was feeling so much better while I was home, but I knew I wasn't quite there yet and just one day in school at that point would have set me back a week. 

Finally, there are enough germs spreading around schools as it is, there is no need to add yours to the mix and get everyone else infected. Stay home, rest, recover, heal and you'll come back stronger and fighting fit for your students!
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Now I know setting cover work is also a pain in the backside, but there are so many sub lesson plans you can download online these days, it doesn't have to be so stressful! In fact, I have a free cover lesson plan in the VIP area you are free to download and use as well, I hope it helps you out!

I hope this has given you a bit of a kick up the bum to listen to your body when it's crying for a rest! Don't force yourself to go in if you're really not feeling well: no one will thank you and you'll end up prolonging your illness. Having said all that, this is not an excuse to be lazy - if you're actually fine and just "don't feel like going to work" then that is NOT OK - save your sick days for when you really need them and you can feel guilt free in letting your body recover.

I'd love to know, what kind of teacher are you? One who forces themselves to work when sick or one who has no problem taking a day off to recover? Let's chat in the comments below - I respond to every comment :)
How to avoid feeling guilty for taking a day off sick as a teacher. Why do teachers feel guilty for taking a day off work? Pep talk to encourage teachers to look after themselves when they feel ill. @resourceforce
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6 Comments
Carrie
1/12/2017 08:02:12 am

Thank you so much for writing this post. I've had 2 days off already with a heavy cold (caught from my class!), I'm feeling slightly better today but know it would set me back about a week (as you said!) if I went in today. My team leader text me last night saying my class is sorted for tomorrow, so to not come in if I'm still unwell. Despite all this I still feel so guilty! Trying to just be kind to myself and make the most of the opportunity to recover. It's so tormenting! Ridiculous! ahhh

Reply
Katie @ Teachers Resource Force link
1/12/2017 04:58:21 pm

Aww sweetheart, I'm so sorry to hear you're unwell! I know how you feel and I think you've done the right thing: your class will be fine and that's awesome that you have such a supportive team leader! You're no good to anyone when you're feeling rubbish and sick anyway, so take this weekend to rest and come back fighting when you feel ready! The world will keep spinning ;) Take care Carrie!!

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Mary
29/11/2019 09:46:05 am

I took 5 days off sick with a sinus infection and then went back for a week.... thennnn I got the flu!!! I forced myself in for two days and then was bed bound!! I took two days off and felt sooooo much better! I wanted to go in on that 3rd day as I felt 10 x better but an instinct was urging me to stay home so that I wouldn’t forced myself to get back too quickly and have a repeat of before! But I’m lying in bed now and I’m feeling terribly guilty as I COULD have gone in but didn’t want to take any risks of as you say setting myself back! Thank you for your fantastic blog!

Reply
Katie @ Teachers Resource Force
20/5/2020 09:56:53 pm

I know, it's such a mental and emotional struggle isn't it! You did the right thing :) Sick days are a different ball game under quarantine though, right!? :D

Reply
Lou
23/9/2020 03:45:26 pm

Hi Katie,

Thanks for your post. I needed this today! I developed a really sore throat and headache Sunday night but dragged myself into school to teach my class (although they could barely hear me). Last night, a heavy cold hit me like a brick so took today off as I know I wouldn’t be of any use to anyone. I got an e mail from my head this morning saying my reason for absence wasn’t good enough!!! Reading your post has made me realise that my reason for time off IS valid and I need to take care of myself so I can do my job properly.

Sending good wishes and good health to all of you who read this :-)

Reply
Katie @ Teachers Resource Force
23/9/2020 04:38:47 pm

Oh Lou, I'm so sorry to hear you're poorly and that your head was so unsupportive. That's the last thing you need when you're feeling so ill, especially during these scary COVID times!? I get heads are stressed out right now and are probably dealing with dwindling staff numbers, but that is not your responsibility or weight to bear. You need to look after yourself so you can be strong enough for your students when you return.

I'm glad you feel better about your decision and thank you for the well wishes to us all! Remember, there's only one of you and pushing yourself in to work and prolong your sickness (as well as potentially spreading it to others) is NOT worth it.

Get well soon!

Katie

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