i told my boss i was sick and throwing up and he asked me to come in anyway. “hey, i’m really sorry for the short notice, but i’ve been throwing up. i’d hate to get anyone else sick, so i think it’s best i don’t come in today.”
for context, i work at a restaurant bar. he is the general manager. i told him this morning, 2 hours before my 9am shift, that i’ve been throwing up. he said, “i can put you on expo instead of serving. i really need you this morning.”
expo is essentially a position where you dress plates & pass it to servers so they can run it to their tables.
it is now 10am and i’m ignoring his text. i don’t even know what to say to him. i’m outraged and i have so many words to say to him, but instead i’m just going to get some rest and try not to think about it.
not only is he asking me to sacrifice my health and wellbeing and come in to work while i’m ill, he’s also asking me to risk the health & wellness of my coworkers, as well as handle food while i might be contagious.
i have another job lined up already, so if i feel better tomorrow morning, i’m going to work my 12 hour shift (for the money) and quit at the end of the day. i want to report this (i have screenshots of our texts), but i’m afraid that might shut us down and negatively affect my coworkers’ livelihood.
not, like, “bring back a doctor’s excuse,” but “i need you this morning.”
makes me wonder if i picked up this bug from someone else he manipulated into coming to work while sick, probably thinking they would be sacked or written up if they didn’t show up.
i’ve had other employers do this in the past, and i came in anyway because i was afraid of retaliation. i’m not falling for that “i really need you today” bullshit ever again.
also, yesterday i heard the back of house manager say he never believes his employees when they say they’re sick and can’t come in, or give an excuse for being late. he said he just assumes they’re lying every time.
tomorrow will be my last day there. i’m going back to sleep.