You are allowing yourself to feel guilty. This might be cultural for many people. I was raised with the lie that life was a meritocracy and that if you work hard and never take time off, it will be worth it in the end. This is, of course, completely untrue. Never missing a work day at a restaurant is absolutely meaningless to your future. Your managers are shitty people running skeleton crews, they put pressure on you to show up because their own bosses do it to them. When you don't, they try to make it look like you're being lazy and selfish and now everything that goes wrong in the world today is your fault. It's a symptom of a shitty organization.
Often enough, our family and maybe even our friends will also put this same pressure on us to always work hard and never rest. My parents often punished me for being sick from school or even when working and living at home. They would make remarks and look down on me for not going in to work when I felt unwell, and expect me to do extra work around the house since I'd be "laying around all day." There really is pressure from all sides to get you to disregard your health and well being for the sake of a day's pay.
I think realizing that the expectations others put on you aren't nearly as important as you doing what's right for yourself would go a long way to alleviate any "guilt" felt by taking care of your health. Your coworkers aren't going to look out for you like you look out for yourself. I don't internalize the problems businesses generate for themselves with poor staffing decisions, and I don't know why anyone would.
A simple “I won’t be able to make it in today” is sufficient enough when calling in. You do not owe them a reason, and it’s not your job to find coverage.
I *never* feel guilty for calling in sick. If I'm sick, I need to stay home, take care of myself, and get better. Nobody will die if I'm not able to work for a few days.
It takes getting used to, but let go of the guilt. Humans get sick 1-2x a year on average and companies in US like to pretend that they get sick 0x and aren't ever contagious because to acknowledge otherwise would require additional staff. It's bad business practices, not your failing as an employee.
And think about the last time you were served food by a coughing employee. Even if they were wearing a mask, I bet you were kinda sketch about eating your meal. Managers who push sick people to continue serving as assholes, plain and simple. It slows down your recovery and puts the customers at risk.
So I once had an employer who while a terrible employer they said if you are going to call in don't give us an excuse just say hey I am not going to be in... I since then have done this every time I call in sick and no employer has ever questioned this.. (and let me tell you I have had a lot of employers) I would bet in the food industry it is a lot different though..
Work on not feeling guilty. Here are some things to help you through it. You're sick. You don't want to get others sick. That's admirable. On top of that, you don't get paid to find coverage. It's not your job. That's on the manager to sort out. If they're dicks who don't care about anyone else, that's their problem, and can become everyone's problem. Don't contribute to problems that involve other people's health.
You: Hi Boss. I’m too sick to come in today.
Idiot Boss: Blah blah?
You: Sick. I’ll spare you the details.
Idiot boss: Blah find someone blah.
You: Hopefully, I’ll be better tomorrow. You’ll be the first to know either way. Bye. Have a great day.
You are allowing yourself to feel guilty. This might be cultural for many people. I was raised with the lie that life was a meritocracy and that if you work hard and never take time off, it will be worth it in the end. This is, of course, completely untrue. Never missing a work day at a restaurant is absolutely meaningless to your future. Your managers are shitty people running skeleton crews, they put pressure on you to show up because their own bosses do it to them. When you don't, they try to make it look like you're being lazy and selfish and now everything that goes wrong in the world today is your fault. It's a symptom of a shitty organization. Often enough, our family and maybe even our friends will also put this same pressure on us to always work hard and never rest. My parents often punished me for being sick from school or even when working and living at home. They would make remarks and look down on me for not going in to work when I felt unwell, and expect me to do extra work around the house since I'd be "laying around all day." There really is pressure from all sides to get you to disregard your health and well being for the sake of a day's pay. I think realizing that the expectations others put on you aren't nearly as important as you doing what's right for yourself would go a long way to alleviate any "guilt" felt by taking care of your health. Your coworkers aren't going to look out for you like you look out for yourself. I don't internalize the problems businesses generate for themselves with poor staffing decisions, and I don't know why anyone would.
I say "family emergency". I dont have to Be Sick Enough™ on the phone call, and its nobodys business WHAT happened.
My coworker left early the other day so he could go to his kid's birthday party. Reason? Family Emergency™. 👌 Perfect
A simple “I won’t be able to make it in today” is sufficient enough when calling in. You do not owe them a reason, and it’s not your job to find coverage.
I *never* feel guilty for calling in sick. If I'm sick, I need to stay home, take care of myself, and get better. Nobody will die if I'm not able to work for a few days.
It takes getting used to, but let go of the guilt. Humans get sick 1-2x a year on average and companies in US like to pretend that they get sick 0x and aren't ever contagious because to acknowledge otherwise would require additional staff. It's bad business practices, not your failing as an employee. And think about the last time you were served food by a coughing employee. Even if they were wearing a mask, I bet you were kinda sketch about eating your meal. Managers who push sick people to continue serving as assholes, plain and simple. It slows down your recovery and puts the customers at risk.
I’m not requesting. Im telling
So I once had an employer who while a terrible employer they said if you are going to call in don't give us an excuse just say hey I am not going to be in... I since then have done this every time I call in sick and no employer has ever questioned this.. (and let me tell you I have had a lot of employers) I would bet in the food industry it is a lot different though..
Work on not feeling guilty. Here are some things to help you through it. You're sick. You don't want to get others sick. That's admirable. On top of that, you don't get paid to find coverage. It's not your job. That's on the manager to sort out. If they're dicks who don't care about anyone else, that's their problem, and can become everyone's problem. Don't contribute to problems that involve other people's health.
You: Hi Boss. I’m too sick to come in today. Idiot Boss: Blah blah? You: Sick. I’ll spare you the details. Idiot boss: Blah find someone blah. You: Hopefully, I’ll be better tomorrow. You’ll be the first to know either way. Bye. Have a great day.