A colleague called in sick today, but I have just spotted her sunbathing in the park. Thanks to her “sickness”, she couldn’t attend her make-or-break client meeting. My boss and I have had a nightmare day as a result. I’m furious. What should I do?

This dilemma is bursting with issues. First, there’s the tenuous etiquette of pulling a sickie. Secondly, there’s the impact of said sickies upon those who bothered to turn up. Thirdly, there’s the nature of the absence — do you have to be housebound with a raging toothache? And what of squealing on your colleagues, especially if you’ve indulged in duvet days yourself?

Ask yourself what is really bothering you. Are you just narked that your colleague did something that you could have done? If so, keep quiet. The jealousy-induced grassing-up of colleagues looks bitchy and makes enemies — especially if your own nose isn’t too clean.

Or are you riled by her lack of loyalty? Perhaps you think that throwing a sickie means that she’s not as committed to the job as you are. But that’s only your opinion — your colleague’s reserves or lack of loyalty have nothing to do with you.

Of course, if you are furious because your colleague’s absence pitched you all into the day from hell, that’s different. In fact it’s a miracle that you didn’t drag her to work by her sun-kissed hair. Sickie-pulling on a day like today was little short of nasty. But if your colleague is sharp enough to win clients, she’s also sharp enough to know that her absence risked the future of the company as well as creating bedlam.

You’re not being paid enough to deal with an issue on this scale, but your boss is. So calmly and regretfully give him the facts, and save judgments for the pub — because he may know things about your colleague’s absence that you don’t. Then just let him get on with being boss-like.

But be warned; if he is as angry as you are, the next time you see her she could be clutching her P45.

Do you need advice about an office problem? E-mail Cath at creme@thetimes.co.uk

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