Does anyone else have a massive fear of calling in sick?

Foundation Training

I’ve had a really bad week at work, felt unsupported by colleagues, high acuity, and just bog standard nhs stuff which we all sort of accept has gotten to me more this week. I’ve been a bit tearful this evening about everything which seems dramatic and probably is, but the thought of working this weekend is something I’m dreading and I now have a banging headache as I’ve been crying. I know how I’m feeling now is dramatic- I’ve had a good year, a good arcp and received awards and generally had a good time at work but this week has taken its toll.
I’ll probably go to work tomorrow feeling unsupported, feel like I’m never quite on top of things and come away more stressed than I was before and thinking I hate being a doctor when I actually don’t.

I’ve never called in sick this rotation and I’ve only had 1 day sick across the entirety of FY1 where I physically could not be in work I was so unwell. My friends are urging me to just call in sick but I genuinely think I’d feel so guilty about it that going sick would have the same effect on my stress levels as me going to work. Our rota coordinator names people in the juniors group chat as they call in sick or the reason why they aren’t in work such as “X has rang to say can broken down so won’t be in” or “X has rang to say she’s sick today so won’t be in” . This goes out to all doctors on the rotation up to consultant level so I feel like everyone will be annoyed that I’ve left a weekend rota gap. I know in perspective I’ve worked countless shifts where I’m also covering a rota gap for a sick FY1 but it’s something I really struggle to do for myself especially as I know in myself I’m not physically extremely sick. I think I’m just burnt out and coming to the end of a busy year and probably isn’t a reason to call in sick but I wish I could bring myself to just do it and take the time.
I don’t really know what I’m asking- I know I won’t call in sick but I wish I would!

Posted Jul 3, 2026, 6:18 PM UTC

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