I called in sick at work on Friday because of a cold. We're forced to get a doctors note from day one, so I tried calling my GP but nobody picked up the phone. After 1 1/2 hours of trying to get through the line without success, I just drove there. There they refused to see me because “people with cold symptoms have to call beforehand due to Covid precautions”. Told them that's what I did and they gave me an appointment for Monday because they were too busy. The doctor would then write me a note for Friday.
(This is happening in Germany btw. Might be a strange system to other nationalities).
Well, I'm already feeling a lot better and if my work didn't force me to get a doctors note for 1 missing day, I'd go back to work tomorrow. BUT because I have to go to the doctors tomorrow anyway, I'm gonna ask him to give me a note for Monday as well.
My cold may have healed but I feel seriously burned out after being forced to do 2 people's jobs and lots of overtime for the past year. I like my direct boss, but the CEO doesn't give a f about anyone. I'm done with sacrificing my private life and health for a stupid job that barely pays my bills.
Despite this, I feel guilty. Guilty for leaving my colleagues “alone”. But – it's not my fault that even multimillion dollar companies operate on bus factor 0 these days. Employees need to focus their anger on the bosses at the top, not their coworkers! But yes, as a millenial who grew up brainwashed into thinking a job defines your worth, I still feel guilty. Guilty for missing 2 days. Wtf is wrong with me.