Good boss, but…

I didn’t want to just read and run, I have every sympathy for you, it’s horrid to be ill and be pressured to work.
I think that you really have to be firm and tell her that you cannot go back to work.
She must be made to realise that she can’t harass you like this.
I don’t suppose you have someone who could help in the organisation? HR or equivalent.
I hope you get better soon

Oopsadaisy1 makes a good point suggesting you speak to HR. Your pre-Covid sick record speaks for itself so the company can see that you are not a malingerer. Have you had a chat with the medics who have been looking after you? Perhaps a letter from them would help and may even suggest you would be better off working from home. You say you love your job so I would politely but firmly say what you feel able to manage workwise and stick to your guns. Your Manager may be getting an earful from someone above her about deadlines etc but she needs to be more understanding about the health problems you now have thanks to Covid. If she carries on perhaps a chat with an employment solicitor would clarify your situation. Good luck.

I'm self employed now, so don't get a lot of choice. If I'm breathing and upright, I have to work. But during a recent bereavement, one client in particular, nagged me repeatedly to work, when I was really not up to it.

It did leave a bad taste, but to be honest, I don't have the option of ditching a good client, so I just had to put up with it.

As an employee, you may have a few more rights, but it's hard isn't it?

Well she's not a good boss, is she? She's pressuring you to work when unwell. She wants you to go into the office when not fit to do so. I would be talking to occupational health if possible to see if reasonable changes can be made. It's not your fault that you are ill. I hope you can get it sorted and get well soon ?

I think sometimes it can be very difficult working for a small company (especially a family one) as you have a sense of loyalty you really don't have in bigger organisations and you know how much they need you there BUT you are ill. Tell her you really do not feel well enough to work from home and she will have to make other arrangements and get signed off sick.

You are more important than your job.

I think that there needs to be a serious conversation between you and your manager.
Quite frankly , it really isn't your problem that there are deadlines when you are ill.
Speak to HR (if there is one) , if you belong to a union, contact them and ACAS are there to advise.
Your GP should also be involved and if your manager values you and wants to continue to have you on her team, she should be trying to find a way to help you - either with making changes in the office (extra cleaning, proper ventilation or purchasing an air purifier for your desk) or allow you to work remotely for the foreseeable future.

Thank you for your advice. Unfortunately we don’t have separate HR. In the first instance I messaged my boss and told her I was unfit to work. I have also decided to save the voicemail message she left and play it to her on my return and have a discussion with her. I have known her for a long time and on the whole she is a good and decent boss, I think she just allowed the pressure she is under to influence her reaction.

As a small company they are probably feeling the pressure and worried about losing clients, especially if anyone else was to go off sick. Without compromising your health, would you be able to work a couple of hours a day to help out, working from home? My guess is that is what she is likely to ask you.

Your company is obliged by law to make reasonable adjustments to your job or workplace so that you can continue to work.
They don't have to be costly, perhaps allowing a later start, or work pattern that is easier for you.

Of course, it's fine knowing it, bit a different thing to say it to your employer.