View Full Version : Mortified Beyond Belief
I HAD to do it today, call in sick on my first real day at Wholefoods!!!! The back story is I went in for new team member orientation yesterday (an all day affair) and was doing great until we broke for lunch. I bought a slice of really yummy pizza and some quinoa salad. Right after we started training again I noticed my stomach was really rather unsettled and it continued throughout the day as we were doing the store tour, etc. I made many trips to the bathroom but was too embarrassed to say anything, as I thought it would pass. When I got home I had MAJOR stomach upset and a little fever. Later that night we had a gig so I was already a little stressed about that because we haven't played out in a while. I bought some TUMS before the show and didn't/couldn't eat anything until I got home at 11:30, in which I still had a lot gastro-intenstinal problems. I tried some plain toast and butter (I hadn't had anything to eat for almost 12 hours at that point). I tried to go to sleep but stomach was too upset. (Nerves? Worrying about starting such a different type of job)? So I hardly slept at all.
I didn't have to go in today until 2:30, so all morning I tried to go back to sleep but was too wired. I finally went and got some Pepto Bismal (which is helping) but when I thought about trying to do my best at a brand new job on a busy day, under the circumstances I just knew I wouldn't be able to put in a good performance and remember everything. I took my temperature one more time and still had a little fever and had to make the decision to call off before my first shift. I feel terrible about it, but I did sign a document yesterday stating I wouldn't come to work with a fever or gastro issues, as I will be working around prepared foods. Even though I did the right thing, I feel like a terrible new employee!!!!! It's that American work-culture thing that tells us to go in even when you know you shouldn't.
I don't know why it hit me so hard, so quick. The same gastro-issue happened to me on my last Sunday at the old job two weeks ago where I went in feeling fine and then all of the sudden, I was in severe stomach distress and HAD to go home...
It is NOT the way I wanted to start off.
Oh, SQ! Icky! (Both being sick and having to call in). No worries, though, once you get started all will be forgiven when they see how wonderful an employee you are. Feel better . . .
awakenedsoul
6-9-12, 7:45pm
That's too bad. I have to eat more when I start a new job. I also need to eat every couple of hours. You are burning a lot of energy when you learn a new position. It's stressful. Helps to have your own lunch, too. Sounds like anxiety and maybe something in the food that didn't agree with you. Hope things get better. I'm sure it will be fine once you get the hang of it.
Hope you're feeling better and that the new job works out. However, I just have to ask, did you buy the pizza and quinnoa salad at your Wholefoods?
I agree, I think anxiety probably played a big part in it, and I too wondered if I got food poisoning from the lunch I bought but I think it happened too quickly after I ate for that to be a factor (plus, a couple of the other trainees got the same pizza). Nevertheless, I threw away the remaining quinoa salad I had had brought home.
I'm still a little feverish and I have never felt so drained in my life as I do right now. I just spent the entire day home on the couch trying to read and dozing a lot. I sure hope I feel like myself tomorrow so I can go tackle the first day (again).
I was going to ask if you bought the food at the store. I'd mention the quinoa salad to management.
I once had to call in sick on my 3rd day of a new job. Thought that would be the end of me but nothing was ever said and I stayed there 3 years.
treehugger
6-10-12, 12:55pm
So sorry that happened to you. That would have really stressed me out, too, and yet, of course you did the right thing. Feel better soon and enjoy finding your place in your new job!
I showed up late the my first day at a new job (the shift started at 5:30 a.m. and my alarm didn't go off) 18 years ago and I will never, ever forget that feeling. I panicked and felt so sick to my stomach. But of course, I went, and everything turned out OK and that was a good job and I was never late again (I am an on time sort of person). It's only chronically late and chronically sick people that employers have a problem with. One time is not a pattern.
Kara
OP, so sorry to hear this! Be sure to tell your supervisor that you recognize how problematic it is for you to be sick on your first real day. Don't cower, but don't ignore it, either. Employees who are chronically late or absent don't acknowledge that it's a problem and it will go a long way for you to apologize and demonstrate that you recognize this isn't your typical work habit.
Thanks everyone! I was so bummed about it yesterday but what could I do? I knew I couldn't work, so be it. Today, however, I feel better. At least I feel like myself more (I knocked myself out with two Benadryl last night and I slept like a log for 8 hours). My stomach is still a little queasy but no "runs" (sorry to be graphic). I woke up early and went back to my old Sunday routine with an early morning walk, some cleaning, straightening, and even went down to the guitar shop to pick up my last paycheck. It made me feel better to be doing normal stuff rather than lying around feeling crappy at home.
Well, wish me luck! I will be punched in at 2:30 today ~ bring it on!
On my very first job, I was sick as a dog (what does that really mean, anyway?) the first week due to a reaction to a smallpox vaccination (which gives you an idea how long ago that was). I dragged myself to work anyway, went home every night and went directly to bed. I knew from the first day I hated that job, but I was taught not to be a quitter and do the responsible thing and all that. I looked back years later and realized that was the universe speaking directly and unequivocally to me. I ignored the sign, as I would many more after that. I should have quit the first day. I hope the universe isn't similarly talking to you, but if it is--please take heed!
Is it possible that you're developing IBS?
Pepto Bismol does wonders, if you're worried about diarrhea.
ApatheticNoMore
6-10-12, 3:26pm
In the long run your health is more important than *ANY* job (and it's nice you aren't exposing customers as well). Still odds are overwhelming it will all work out fine. Could be food poisoning but even more likely you had a case of the flu (not just a cold, not with fever and all that).
Is it possible that you're developing IBS?
Pepto Bismol does wonders, if you're worried about diarrhea.
Forget about Pepto Bismol. Immodium!
All is good; I just got home from my first shift and it went fine (and my stomach behaved as well). Apparently I did exceedingly well for being a new person. I just jumped right in and scooped deli food and learned how to slice meats in the scary-looking meat slicer. The weird thing is staring at all those mounds of food all day long didn't make me hungry in the least! So much to absorb it's a tad bit overwhelming but I will be fine. The people I worked with were super helpful and kind!
SQ, excellent to hear! And you still have all your fingers - yay! :~)
Yay! I hope your good first day is just one in a long string, and that you have found a place to work that will not only help you pay the bills but also give you the space to grow and develop. Today the deli, tomorrow the world!
lhamo
PS: My go-to remedy for stomach stuff is berberine hydrochloride, known in Chinese as Huangliansu. It's one of the first things CHinese doctors will give you for gastric stuff, and it has way fewer side effects than Immodium (which I took exactly ONCE in my life and vowed I would never take again -- the aftereffects of that made me wish the runs would come back....) Last summer I developed a serious bout of food poisoning hours before I had to get on a transpacific flight -- I'll save you the details, but I couldn't keep anything in... I got up at 2 am and took 2 pills (the standard dose is up to 4, but I usually start on the low end and see how I'm doing). That made things considerably better. I took 2 more at 6 am before we left for the airport. I was still feeling a bit off, but not running for the the loo. Took 2 more when I was on the plane, and I was fine for the rest of the trip. I've had similar experiences other times I've taken it too. I really think it is magical stuff. Worth giving a try if you have an Asian pharmacy anywhere around (sometimes Asian groceries stores will have a little pharmaceutical section where you can find it -- at least that is the way it is in Seattle)
Congrats on a great first day, they will love you :)
Hi everyone, just checking in, as I am on my third day (later today) and so far it's going very well. However, I am TIRED! I didn't realize how much the change in schedule, change in energy level needed, and the change in sleeping and eating patterns would affect me at age 50! It's definitely is hard work, especially at the dinner hour. I can't believe how much people spend on prepared food! Well, that's their choice and they are keeping me in a job.
I think my appetite is slowly starting to return ~ I lost 4 lbs. in the last couple of days because I just haven't had much of an appetite, from anxiety about starting a new job and also being surrounded by all those mounds of food. Interesting weight-loss strategy, just become a deli-chick!. This is the least I've weighed since I had my daughter twenty years ago, and I am almost approaching being slightly underweight for my height. However, I feel pretty good today and I am so glad I finally slept last night from about 1 am to 8am. Trying to figure out how my daily schedule will fall into place is going to take a couple of weeks to integrate. I am not used to being a night owl and when I get home at 11pm it is hard to unwind and relax for awhile before attempting sleep. I've been drinking Sleepytime Tea, watching Mad Men episodes and using Benadryl to get me to calm down. I have to be very careful to not get hypo-manic from not getting enough sleep. All I have on my plate for the next few weeks is to get settled in this new lifestyle and see what grows out of it. Kind of exciting, really!
PS: I stopped by the guitar shop to pick up my last paycheck the other day and the owner was trying to do a register transaction and I could tell he was doing it all wrong...
treehugger
6-12-12, 1:40pm
Also remember that learning new things (which is a constant at a new job) is very tiring. Much more tiring than it will be to work those hours once you get the hang of it all.
Thanks for the update. Keep up the great work!
Kara
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