Sad. Never Felt This Low in IB
Got food poisoning last Wednesday, followed by a high fever. super dizzy, vomit, cannot fall asleep, use the washroom several times. but kept working since I had live deals going on.
By Monday, I felt so sick that I had to take a sick day—otherwise I would not be able to recover. But I prepared all the meeting materials for the call and distributed to all attendees.
And now I’m being blamed for not joining the call. I explained that I had already informed them I was taking sick leave, and I even prepared all the materials in advance. I told them I was simply too sick to join. Even if I joined I don’t think there was anything I could do.
They just said “You’re not in operations or the emergency room.” for 5 minutes. I felt there was no need to justify so I just admitted it was my fault and went back to my desk.
I feel absolutely horrible—physically and mentally. The fever hasn’t gone away, I’ve been trying to vomit but can’t for the last 30 minute and I haven’t been able to hit the gym& do anything because I haven’t been able to eat anything good.
Hate everything about this situation.
I’m very sorry. That sounds awful. Nothing else to say.
Sounds like Moelis
My first thought
US or UK?
I’m one of the an1s under you. Culture sucks but it is what it is.
Sorry to hear this sounds brutal. I’d just block out what they say at this point, focus on getting better and get out asap.
Easier said than done but fuck'em. The sooner you figure that out in life the better. Most of your coworkers wouldn't even notice if you died tomorrow. It wouldn't be for the right reasons if they did. No one is closing the bank to remember you and your team isn't calling your mom to give their condolences. Too many kids have dropped dead for IB. I could just imagine what that person's life must look like who said that to you...It's IB, you're not negotiating peace between Ukraine and Russia or something, there will be another deal and another kid to blame next week.
This is insane and not acceptable, although I acknowledge it is very real at several firms across the street. OP, I suggest you lateral as soon as the market is more open as your senior team sounds like cancer. It just doesn’t have to be that way.
One of my mentors puts it this way (good culture EB): no junior banker is so critical to a process, meeting, etc., that things should “break” in their absence. If things are breaking, it is a failure of management, not a failure at the junior level. You should be able to rest without repercussion when you are that sick. Good teammates will always make it work.
I hope you feel better soon and stop working with those jerks soon. Good luck buddy.
Agreed - this is just absurd behavior on behalf of your seniors
Good comment
That's absolutely ridiculous, I'm sorry. What bank are you at?
.
Don't worry, consult a doctor friend or something to make sure you have the right rehydration—it will pass—have a thick skin towards their criticism, it will come & go
At least name the bank so other juniors know to stay away.
Never thought I'd get so pissed off reading a post on this site. To echo the most helpful comment, it simply doesn't have to be this way. Further, it's one thing when the whole team is getting grinded but to be singled out like this makes me want to get physical with these fucking losers.
Stay strong kid. You're getting valuable experience in how not to treat people. Wishing you well.
Not sure if this is helpful, but hopefully it opens your eyes that you're just a cog in the machine and they literally give no shits about you despite calling you "buddy" "champ" "mate" "legend".
I experienced the same during covid - was super super sick and basically felt like a knife was cutting my throat when i swallowed with a relatively high fever (39 degrees celcius) and shivering. Quaratined myself and notified the team to that i'm terribly sick and rest at home - i get a message from my Director along the lines of: "Oh no hope you get better soon, on the model and materials, can we expect it by tomorrow?"
Earlier this year i was guilt tripped into coming into work with a pretty bad fever. My VP came to my desk to check in while it was just us two in the office, i was coughing nonstop and dripping in sweat the whole time. One person actually walked past the bullpen and asked if i was ok.
Deal ended up dying and all i got was a “great job. Thanks for all the work. you showed up and thats what matters.”
I wish everyone would start naming the banks but I understand why they don’t. These places do not deserve talented employees.
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