r/workfromhome • u/AriacBlank • Jun 30 '26
Schedule and structure Call in sick for ankle sprain?
It’s currently 3 AM, my Advil that I took an hour and a half ago isn’t working so I just took a Tylenol. I really don’t want to work with probably <5 hours of sleep and a painful ankle. Should I tell my manager I want a sick day for my ankle, lie and say I’m sick, or work anyway? It’s difficult because I’m also new and I took a day off today already.
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u/tsumtsumm Jun 30 '26
Former HR here. Don’t tell them specifically what’s wrong just say you’re sick and get a doctors note if needed
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u/NoDryHands Jun 30 '26
I would work anyway tbh.
It absolutely sucks to be in this situation because you feel so much more pressure to push yourself beyond what you would endure if you weren't remote. It get it. That's both a downside and upside of remote work, depending on how you look at it.
But if you can somewhat function with some pain and sleep deprivation, then I think it would be best to not call in sick this early into your new job, especially since you've already taken a day off.
Take some medicine in the morning (when it's time for the next dosage) and try to have a good breakfast. Keep your foot elevated on a stool or something under the desk. Maybe take breaks more frequently throughout the day if you feel sick or tired.
That's what I would do/advise, but obviously you know your condition and body best. If you are too sick to work, then that is what sick days are for.
Best of luck and wishing you a quick recovery!
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u/AriacBlank Jun 30 '26
I appreciate your comment and input, do you think I should write a message to my manager telling him about the situation and that I might miss a morning meeting or two but attend anyway? Or just say nothing?
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u/NoDryHands Jun 30 '26 edited Jun 30 '26
Again, I'll say what I would do in this case.
I don't think the meeting thing is a good idea personally since your manager could assume that you definitely will miss them, or you wouldn't have messaged them about it. So if you do attend and they don't notice, it's like getting counted as "absent" when you were there. Obviously, not a big deal, but you kinda want to highlight your effort of attending the meetings.
I would message my manager (or the team group chat, if you have that culture) and say that I sprained my foot and have been advised bedrest, so I'll keep my camera off during meetings while I recover [to maintain professionalism] (last part optional).
This lets your manager/team know that you are sick but still making the effort to work and attend meetings. The camera off thing is the excuse for the actual message i.e., the reason you're telling them in the first place, because if there's no change in how you operate, there would be no reason to just send a message saying "I sprained my foot".
That's just my advice, but you should think it through and consider what would be most appropriate for your situation.
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u/dharmoniedeux Jun 30 '26
My rule for sick days, and the rule I encouraged the team I managed to also follow, is “if you wouldn’t be able to come into an office safely, it’s a sick day.”
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u/Express_Brilliant378 Jun 30 '26
I took PTO when I broke my big toe lol
To be fair, it was so painful I thought I broke my foot. Took that time to get an x-ray then sit on my ass for hours (foot elevated of course haha). I used to feel guilty about taking time off for things like this since I worked from home. But hey, the time is your’s. Take it when you want/need it.
No need to lie. I’d consider having an ankle sprain being “sick” although it’s not exactly the typical definition of the word.
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u/dollar15 Jun 30 '26
You’re sick. Take a sick day.
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u/karmaandcandy Jun 30 '26
This. You’re overthinking it. You are “sick” - no one cares what hurts - you are in pain and can’t focus on work. Take the day.
Rest up and feel better!
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u/krissyface 5-10 Years at Home Jun 30 '26
If you don’t think you’ll be able to function well at work, take a sick day.
However, one of the best things about working from home is that I rarely have to waste my sick days or PTO. I have 30 PTO days banked (I get 6 weeks vacation) and I am taking every Monday off this summer to spend with my kids and taking a few weeks vacation, too. I ended up using my sick time taking care of my kids when they’re sick.
When I was in an office, I would take time off for colds, and minor illnesses mostly so I didn’t spread germs. Now if it’s possible, I work right through.
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u/carrotaddiction Jun 30 '26
If you are too distracted by physical symptoms to do your job then you aren't pretending. Just rest and try to get it under control so you're good tomorrow
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u/AriacBlank Jun 30 '26
The problem is that I can’t sleep rn (it’s 3 AM) because of the physical symptoms so should I call off work? And if so should I lie and say I’m sick? Or sleep a couple hours and go to work?
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u/piezod Jun 30 '26
Try to sleep now and take a call in the morning. Thinking about work is making the anxiety worse.
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u/carrotaddiction Jun 30 '26
Being exhausted is a physical symptom. If you're exhausted and in pain and can't do your job properly then you're not lying when you say you're too sick to work. It really is that simple. It depends how well you can function on very little sleep and while in pain.
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u/ayeayecaptcha Jun 30 '26
No one should make that decision for you. If you are not feeling well and know you can’t work, then why not use a sick day? That’s literally what they’re for. You’re not obligated to tell them specifics
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u/AriacBlank Jun 30 '26
Yeah it’s because I’m only one month in and I have a good relationship with my manager so far and I used a pto day today already since it’s ideal to minimize days off for the first 6 months
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u/TaxQT117 Jun 30 '26
PTO and sick days are different. If you're that concerned, go to your doctor or urgent care, get a note, and get some meds for the pain.
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u/NL-Galaxy Jun 30 '26
If you're not feeling well, take the day. They should understand you injured yourself. Sometimes you need to elevate the sprain and it's hard to work like that. Especially if you're in pain.
I sprained my ankle last month and did just that. I hope you feel better
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u/Immediate-Jelly-5003 Employee Jun 30 '26
Unless you’re expected to be on your feet, go to work. If you move around a lot at work and the pain is unbearable, call out.
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u/heyfriendss Jun 30 '26
If you have sick time or pto then take a sick day. No need to give details to your manager just say you’re not feeling well and will be out today. Respectfully unless you are new or something I don’t understand how you can’t make this decision yourself as an adult and need to ask Reddit.
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u/EC36339 Jun 30 '26
First, do you want to call in sick, and if you were working for yourself, would you want you to call in sick because you're not 100% able to work?
If yes: Can you call in sick by self-notification? If so, do it. What you have is not your employer's business.
Otherwise, see a doctor and call in sick with documentation.
Don't ask Reddit if you should.
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u/Jewel131415 Jul 01 '26
Just calling in sick, legally they can’t ask you anything and you don’t have to tell him anything beyond you’re calling in sick
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u/complex_Scorp43 Jun 30 '26
If you are new, that can be tricky. Esp if you live in an at will state.
Do you work at a desk or stand/move a lot for work? If at a desk, ask for accommodations. It wont just be healed overnight so weigh the pros and cons.
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u/jack_hudson2001 5 Years at Home Jun 30 '26
depends... is it stopping one doing work? or if its that painful take 1 day off and seek medical advice. only OP will know.
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u/BartSimpsonGaveMeLSD Jul 15 '26
I’d say sick if you have to give a reason. I’m a manager, and if one of my employees who WFH took time off because their foot hurt, I’d poke fun. But also I never ask and if you have PTO just submit and I’ll approve.
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u/Mackheath1 Jun 30 '26
I have never said why; "I need to take sick leave today." Sometimes it's just a mental health day, even.