Calling in sick - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Meditrina · 10-07-2009, 11:31 AM

How sick do you have to be call in to work and tell them you are staying home? With the flu season approaching and the "panic" over swine flu, everyone is looking at anyone who sneezes as if they have the plague. If you had, what you thought, was just a common cold, would you stay home?

The reason I ask is because I was just told to go home in a not-so-joking manner. I am sneezing, my head is stuffed and I am exhausted. I am so tempted to call in sick tomorrow, but with the new promotion I didn't know if I should or not. It is just a cold. On the other hand, I could use a day to sleep. and then I wouldn't have to hear anyone complaining that I am going to get them sick.

What would you do?

Baraka_Guru · 10-07-2009, 11:36 AM

What would I do? The first thing would be to refer to the CBC.

For your convenience (be sure to take note of the symptoms you should be okay with):

Quote:

When to call in sick
The pull of 'presenteeism'
Last Updated: Monday, January 12, 2009 | 12:52 PM ET
CBC News

A 2007 Decima Research poll found that 79 per cent of Canadians surveyed reported going to work sick at some point in the past year. (CBC)A 2007 Decima Research poll found that 79 per cent of Canadians surveyed reported going to work sick at some point in the past year. (CBC)

Determined to get that project done on time, even though your joints have begun to ache and you're feeling a little light-headed? Can't take the chance of staying away from the office because someone might suggest that you're not pulling your load?

Or maybe you're a part-time worker and you don't get paid sick days. And with the economy tanking and jobs disappearing, you don't want the boss to think that you're not totally committed to your job.

If you answer yes, you're probably a practitioner of "presenteeism" — the act of showing up at work or school, even though you probably should be at home getting over whatever it is that ails you.

One study suggested that presenteeism costs the American economy up to $150 billion US a year, as ill workers perform well below their usual levels while they pass on their ailments to their co-workers. A Cornell University study found that presenteeism could account for as much as 61 per cent of the total cost of worker illness — or as little as 18 per cent.

The Cornell study looked at the costs of coming to work with 10 of the most common conditions. Respiratory infections (such as colds and flu) were responsible for 21 per cent of the presenteeism costs, not including the added costs of potentially infecting others. Others considered were allergies, asthma, arthritis, depression and migraines.

In October 2004, the Harvard Business Review reported that being on the job but not functioning to the best of your ability can cut your productivity by a third or more -and can actually cost an employer much more than absenteeism. Companies could lose more in lost productivity than they spend directly on medical treatment and drugs.

In October 2006, Harvard researchers reported that 94 per cent of the people they surveyed said they would stay home, away from other people, for seven days to 10 days if they had pandemic flu and 85 per cent would do so if a household member were sick. Equally high numbers said they would heed calls not to leave their community while pandemic flu circulated.

But one in four adults said there is no one to care for them at home if they got sick — and another one in four said they could not afford to miss work for even a week. One in five said they feared their boss would insist they come to work — even if they were sick and contagious.

A 2007 Decima Research poll found that 79 per cent of Canadians surveyed reported going to work sick at some point in the previous year.

Statistics Canada estimates that by 2005, Canadian workers were calling in sick an average of 9.2 days a year, up from 7.3 days five years earlier. The agency doesn't have figures for people showing up for work when they shouldn't.

What symptoms should keep me at home?

You have a fever of any kind - you could be contagious.
You're suffering from achy joints.
You have a persistent cough accompanied by green mucus buildup and a runny nose.
You have a severe sore throat.
You are throwing up.
Your eyes are bright red and have a discharge.

After you've called in sick, it might not be a bad idea to call your doctor.

What symptoms are normally OK to go to work with?

You are sniffling, but don't have a fever. You could have allergies.
Your throat tickles or you have postnasal drip.
Your ear aches.
You have a sinus infection.
You have a dry cough with little or no mucus.

If you are recovering and are no longer contagious — and feel up to it — you should be able to go to work, as long as you do your best to avoid contact with others. You should also tell your colleagues that you are getting over an illness, but no longer pose a threat to their good health.

What should I do if my co-worker is exhibiting symptoms, but insists on coming to work?

Avoid direct contact with your co-worker.
Do not use their telephone or workstation.
Wash your hands frequently or use a hand sanitizer.
See whether you can move to another workstation temporarily.
Complain to your supervisor.

What can I do to avoid getting sick at work?

Germs love your hands and they'll easily transfer there if you touch a contaminated surface — like a telephone, desk or someone else's hands. People tend to sneeze or cough into their hands. They will eventually touch other things — like your hands.

If someone has a cold, don't shake hands with him or her or kiss them.
Wash your hands frequently, employing proper hand washing techniques (plenty of soap and warm water, rubbing your hands together vigorously for at least 20 seconds).
Avoid surfaces that may be contaminated - such as in washrooms, close to where other people might wash their hands but not quite as well as you do.
Use a hand sanitizer.
If you haven't washed your hands or sanitized after touching a surface you're not certain about, avoid touching any part of your face.

Renzo Bertolini of the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety says it's critical that employers take an active role in trying to curb presenteeism.

"They can come up with policies like offering free flu shots at work," Bertolini told CBCNews.ca. "They should also communicate to their workforce that if you are sick, you should stay home."

Bertolini says a clear policy is an important message to workers that management accepts the fact that people will be away from time to time.
Is there a proper way to sneeze or cough when people are around me?

When you — or someone near your — sneezes or coughs, germs can easily travel about a metre. They could latch on to you or a surface that you might touch later on. They could also bounce off a surface and travel a little farther.

There are some precautions you can take:

If you're about to sneeze or cough, try to back away from people and cover your mouth and nose.
No tissue handy? Try sneezing or cough into the crook of your arm and not into your hands. This keeps the hands from carrying germs and passing them on to others.

Daniel_ · 10-07-2009, 12:59 PM

I have to be too ill to drive.

If I'm at home, I'll look at my computer or read.

At work my job is looking at my computer and reading, so if I'm well enough to get to work, I'm well enough to do my job.

dlish · 10-07-2009, 03:13 PM

im in the same boat as daniel_, except a home ill be in pyjamas.

i never call in sick if i can make it to work. ive called in sick once in nearly 3 years

amonkie · 10-07-2009, 04:08 PM

Be considerate of the people in your office... you may be able to work, but are you spreading germs to other people? In our office once it starts, it doesn't take long for things to work their way around the office and people drop like flies.

Also.. I would rather someone go home as soon as they feel ill, and use that time to recover. Most often, they'll be back sooner than if they wait till they are completely down and out sick, and their immune system has been worn down and now needs longer to recover. As a manager, I hate when my people are sick, but I'd rather them just be out for an afternoon or one day, instead of 2-3 days or more.

Meditrina · 10-07-2009, 04:40 PM

I have decided to call in sick. I brought some work home with me so I won't feel as guilty. It is work that I need to get done, but was unable to find the time during the day.

I don't want to get anyone else sick, even if it is just a cold. With the flu and stuff going around, I am better off staying home.

Thank you for all the input and the information. I can't remember the last time I called in sick because *I* was sick and not one of my kids.

wooÐs · 10-07-2009, 04:53 PM

If you need me to write you a note for work, I will.

Fotzlid · 10-07-2009, 06:40 PM

I work around sick people all day but hardly ever get sick. Most of the time I feel lousy is due to seasonal allergies.
I use sick days for when my back is too sore or when I need a "mental health" day.
Even then, those days are rare.

spindles · 10-07-2009, 08:24 PM

I mostly work from home, so this is probably fairly pointless advice. If I have a cold or other such symptoms, and I'm meeting my work colleagues face to face I'll cancel and either 1) work from home as usual (if symptoms not too bad) or 2) go back to bed. From my experience, you recover fully more quickly doing option 2. This can be ignored if I have something I really need to finish, though for me those types of jobs are rarely 'all day' affairs and I can usually fit some nap time in there somewhere.

If I worked full time in an office, I'd look at what I could bring home, rather than infect my office mates.

Plan9 · 10-07-2009, 08:33 PM

I'd like to think I've got a good work ethic, but I'd call in sick as much as reasonable and use the allotted days. You keep a buffer for when you're really sick... but if they're offering you 10 days a year and you don't use it... think of all those long weekend you could have had. And it isn't like you can put a dollar value on your free time, especially if you have a home to care for and a kids to surprise... "Guess what, ya furry bastards? Mommy's home today!"

That kinda thing. The kinda thing I wish my parents had done once in a while instead of slaving away to the man for decades straight.

Also: don't take your funk to work. If it has you feeling bad, it could make somebody feel a lot worse. And nobody likes a runny nose.

kutulu · 10-07-2009, 10:21 PM

I'm about 50/50, I never feel guilty about calling in because I don't abuse the sick time I'm given. However, if I have a deadline near I'm probably going in unless it is really bad. Overall, it is kind of rude to come to work sick.

The interesting thing is the difference between when I worked in food service vs. working as a professional. In the food service industry they are always shorthanded and it annoys managers when people call in. They would rather have you at work sick and handling people's food than calling in.

Daniel_ · 10-07-2009, 10:38 PM

I'd forgotten that the American system has a pre-defined number of sick days.

This is a concept that in Europe seems hillarious. We go to work if we're well, and stay home if we're sick - but if you're well a lot, there's no chance to claim back the extra days.

GreyWolf · 10-08-2009, 03:39 AM

I've recently been diagnosed, uh designated, an essential employee (yea me, I'm SPECIAL!!), and have had a laptop computer inflicted on me. I've fought that for years as as far as I am concerned, when I walk out that door, work is behind me. I'll answer the phone at home (occasionally) and come to work if they need me, but when I'm home, I'm home.

Now the idea is that if there's a pandemic and they close our office, I can still do most of my job from home via a VPN connection. Oh, and if I'm too sick to come in, but well enough to function minimally, I can maybe get a bit done in 5 minute increments.

Their concern for my well-being would warm the cockles of my heart if I knew what cockles were, and there was any genuine concern for me. This is also the reason I refuse a company cell-phone. They want me to carry one but I've told them it WILL stay in the office when I leave. I have my own, personal cell-phone, and I'm not carrying 2. And they don't have the personal number.

At my wife's office, they will actually call someone who calls in sick if the person doesn't report their symptoms!! The fact that it is legally none of their business will soon be tested by the union there, but they continue to call until the grievance is decided. Unbelievable.

Too many people DO come to work when they probably shouldn't, but that is built in to the North American work ethic. I haven't seen the studies quoted above, but I have some nagging doubts about the definitions of cost to the economy they are using.

snowy · 10-08-2009, 08:06 AM

My policy is to take a day off if I'm feeling like I'm coming down with something (you know, that ooky tickly icky feeling) and go back to bed. In between naps, I attempt to drown whatever it is with copious amounts of liquids, hot and cold. Nine times out of ten I wake up the next day feeling fine. Thanks to email, it's usually fairly easy to deal with taking time off; I have a lot of different obligations at any given time (work, school, practica) but thankfully all of my supervisors for said things have email.

By anecdotal comparison, my SO will often attempt to work through whatever it is that ails him, and ends up dragging out whatever it is for a week or so. He's decided that this winter will be different, especially since the university is requiring all professors to adhere to a more flexible attendance policy (thank you, swine flu).

I'm just glad people are finally paying attention to how GROSS it is to sit in lecture and listen to twenty-plus people sniffle.

Get well soon, Medi!

Halanna · 10-09-2009, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meditrina

The reason I ask is because I was just told to go home in a not-so-joking manner. I am sneezing, my head is stuffed and I am exhausted. I am so tempted to call in sick tomorrow, but with the new promotion I didn't know if I should or not. It is just a cold. On the other hand, I could use a day to sleep. and then I wouldn't have to hear anyone complaining that I am going to get them sick.

What would you do?

Call in sick. You can still transmit the common cold to your co-workers and while not as severe as the flu, it will still make them sick and lower productivity.

You can't get fired for being ill, in theory anyway.

G5_Todd · 10-11-2009, 10:24 AM

at my current job which i have been there for over 8 years i have only been out sick 1 time...however i dont lose my sick days if i dont use them they accumulate....but if i did have to use them by the end of the year i would be sick way more often...

Daniel_ · 10-11-2009, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G5_Todd

at my current job which i have been there for over 8 years i have only been out sick 1 time...however i dont lose my sick days if i dont use them they accumulate....but if i did have to use them by the end of the year i would be sick way more often...

So if you worked there for years, and never have a day off sick, you could take a month or two off?

Strange Famous · 10-11-2009, 11:53 AM

This year Ive had 3 days off when I fucked my back and literally couldnt leave the house. Last year I didnt have any time off, cant remember any further back.

hunnychile · 10-11-2009, 05:55 PM

Our Systems Manager calls off "sick" almost every Friday for the past 6 months.

It's become a joke, as in:
Me to a long time worker in the front office..."Where's C. today?
Other coworker who sits next to the first person says, "Well...it's Friday."

Then everyone around laughs loudly &
we all say, "Oh yeah, C's Sick- Again! Sure.....HA!"

No one understands why the owner hasn't had the HR Manager write him up for these excessive absences, as it causes the rest of us many hassles and we loose a lot of revenue from his absences.

MSD · 10-13-2009, 08:02 AM

I've taken a few sick days this year. I slipped on ice, twisted my knee, and couldn't walk. I had bronchitis with a bad fever. I was sunburned so badly I couldn't wear a shirt. I split my eyebrow open and had a really bad headache from it.

Basically, if I don't think I can get my job done due to illness, I call out sick because it's not going to do anyone any good to be there. I get 15 sick days a year, and those also cover doctor's appointments.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halanna

You can't get fired for being ill, in theory anyway.

Welcome to the world of at-will employment. Sick people aren't a protected group under federal discrimination law, so most employers can fire them if they're out too long.

Leto · 10-13-2009, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel_

I'd forgotten that the American system has a pre-defined number of sick days.

This is a concept that in Europe seems hillarious. We go to work if we're well, and stay home if we're sick - but if you're well a lot, there's no chance to claim back the extra days.

interesting, the first bit that is. We are allocated a certain count of sick days. I'm not sure what that is because I rarely use them (I've called in sick once since the start of 2008 - and that was to take my wife in to the clinic). I do know that if you take more than 3 in a row, a doctor's note is required to claime them as sick days. Otherwise they dip into your vacation days.

But only certain unions (thinking of the City of Toronto Municipal Workers) actually get to cash in their unused sick leave days as money or time in lieu. That part is criminal, especially with a public revenue source.

boink · 10-13-2009, 06:56 PM

I work for a small company that can't afford for me to quit, so they accommodate a day off for illness or random car trouble

Monday I was running a temperature of 102, doesn't sound like much but I felt like crap. I still went in (skilled labour, custom metal in rich peoples houses)
cause I wanted my co worker to have 1/2 way decent partner on deck. but we got over the main hump Monday so I took today off. I feel allot better for the rest and will be back on tomorrow.

I do feel lucky I work for a company who feels it's human assets have some value. at most I was sick for 3 weeks solid (so sick I went back to stay with MOM even !!) but I still had a job waiting for me. albeit a job without health care even today >_<

oh, we have no stated policy of how many sick days, no work no pay. but no specific ammount of days gets you fired though. I do get 2 weeks vacation and I could clame a sick day as one of my vacation days if I had to I spose.

Nimetic · 10-14-2009, 01:09 AM

I reckon... you call in sick if you don't think it'd be safe to drive.

Otherwise you show up, or not - depending on the criticality of your scheduled work.

Titan_Uranus · 10-15-2009, 12:46 AM

called in sick today ,got a bad middle ear infection.

spindles · 10-15-2009, 01:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boink

I do get 2 weeks vacation and I could clame a sick day as one of my vacation days if I had to I spose.

I think the Europeans will be like me - saying that is almost slave labour. I get 5 weeks annual leave + public holidays and sick leave is government mandated to a certain number of days per year. Personally, I use it if I'm sick and otherwise it disappears.

I think Americans have created a terrible rod for their own backs - capitalism like in the USA comes with a terrible cost.

Xerxys · 10-15-2009, 02:16 AM

^^ Heh, you don't say, for illiterate people like myself, prior to getting any form of employment I essentially sign something to the tune of, "These are my rules, you don't want them, get out". The companies here have made it look like they are doing us a favor , as if we have a "choice".

Despite all that, it's funny how much I love the system here.

canuckguy · 10-17-2009, 05:44 AM

A hang nail could cause me to phone in sick if I have something better to do.

I get 10 paid sick days a year, my employer recommends you use them regardless of illness if you need them for a mental health day or whatever.

I am a cyclist, the winter is approaching and I have saved most of my sick days for now so when the weather is good I can take off and get a good ride in and return to work the next day in a great mood.

Last year I used only 6 of the 10 days available. You can't carry them over or bank them or get paid out for them so I try and use them. But that does not mean I still don't feel a bit guilty staying home and watching the 'The Burbs' while eating chips and dip....

If I am truly sick I usually drag my ass into the office because if I am going to feel miserable, I might as well come into work and get shit done.

But I wake up with a sore throat, I am home on the couch.

Lady Bear Cub · 10-17-2009, 05:52 AM

i don't even need to be sick to call out sick. i called out sick last night, but i really am sick and it sucks.

gondath · 10-23-2009, 02:32 AM

I'll call off work if I'm sick enough, which usually means a day or two every time I get sick. I tend to get deathly ill for weeks at a time and need some medicine to keep living. I wish that more of my co-workers would stay away from the job when sick and not spread around the plague to the rest of us. If nothing else, I'd like to teach them to cover their mouths when they sneeze and cough.

G5_Todd · 10-24-2009, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel_

So if you worked there for years, and never have a day off sick, you could take a month or two off?

Ya I am saving my sick time incase i fall off my roof or something and am out from work for a long time.

10-07-2009, 11:31 AM	#1 (permalink)
Meditrina Junkie Location: LI,NY	Calling in sick How sick do you have to be call in to work and tell them you are staying home? With the flu season approaching and the "panic" over swine flu, everyone is looking at anyone who sneezes as if they have the plague. If you had, what you thought, was just a common cold, would you stay home? The reason I ask is because I was just told to go home in a not-so-joking manner. I am sneezing, my head is stuffed and I am exhausted. I am so tempted to call in sick tomorrow, but with the new promotion I didn't know if I should or not. It is just a cold. On the other hand, I could use a day to sleep. and then I wouldn't have to hear anyone complaining that I am going to get them sick. What would you do? __________________ "Toughness is in the soul and spirit, not in muscles." ~Alex Karras

10-07-2009, 12:59 PM	#3 (permalink)
Daniel_ Evil Priest: The Devil Made Me Do It! Location: Southern England	I have to be too ill to drive. If I'm at home, I'll look at my computer or read. At work my job is looking at my computer and reading, so if I'm well enough to get to work, I'm well enough to do my job. __________________ ╔═════════════════════════════════════════╗ Overhead, the Albatross hangs motionless upon the air, And deep beneath the rolling waves, In labyrinths of Coral Caves, The Echo of a distant time Comes willowing across the sand; And everthing is Green and Submarine ╚═════════════════════════════════════════╝

10-07-2009, 03:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
dlish Currently sour but formerly Dlishs Super Moderator Location: Australia/UAE	im in the same boat as daniel_, except a home ill be in pyjamas. i never call in sick if i can make it to work. ive called in sick once in nearly 3 years __________________ An injustice anywhere, is an injustice everywhere I always sign my facebook comments with ()()===========(}. Does that make me gay? - Filthy

10-07-2009, 04:08 PM	#5 (permalink)
amonkie Drifting Administrator Location: Windy City	Be considerate of the people in your office... you may be able to work, but are you spreading germs to other people? In our office once it starts, it doesn't take long for things to work their way around the office and people drop like flies. Also.. I would rather someone go home as soon as they feel ill, and use that time to recover. Most often, they'll be back sooner than if they wait till they are completely down and out sick, and their immune system has been worn down and now needs longer to recover. As a manager, I hate when my people are sick, but I'd rather them just be out for an afternoon or one day, instead of 2-3 days or more. __________________ Calling from deep in the heart, from where the eyes can't see and the ears can't hear, from where the mountain trails end and only love can go... ~~~ Three Rivers Hare Krishna

10-07-2009, 04:40 PM	#6 (permalink)
Meditrina Junkie Location: LI,NY	I have decided to call in sick. I brought some work home with me so I won't feel as guilty. It is work that I need to get done, but was unable to find the time during the day. I don't want to get anyone else sick, even if it is just a cold. With the flu and stuff going around, I am better off staying home. Thank you for all the input and the information. I can't remember the last time I called in sick because I was sick and not one of my kids. __________________ "Toughness is in the soul and spirit, not in muscles." ~Alex Karras

10-07-2009, 04:53 PM	#7 (permalink)
wooÐs Sitting in a tree Location: Atlanta	If you need me to write you a note for work, I will.

10-07-2009, 06:40 PM	#8 (permalink)
Fotzlid Junkie Location: Greater Boston area	I work around sick people all day but hardly ever get sick. Most of the time I feel lousy is due to seasonal allergies. I use sick days for when my back is too sore or when I need a "mental health" day. Even then, those days are rare.

10-07-2009, 08:24 PM	#9 (permalink)
spindles Mine is an evil laugh Location: Sydney, Australia	I mostly work from home, so this is probably fairly pointless advice. If I have a cold or other such symptoms, and I'm meeting my work colleagues face to face I'll cancel and either 1) work from home as usual (if symptoms not too bad) or 2) go back to bed. From my experience, you recover fully more quickly doing option 2. This can be ignored if I have something I really need to finish, though for me those types of jobs are rarely 'all day' affairs and I can usually fit some nap time in there somewhere. If I worked full time in an office, I'd look at what I could bring home, rather than infect my office mates. __________________ who hid my keyboard's PANIC button?

10-07-2009, 08:33 PM	#10 (permalink)
Plan9 I Confess a Shiver	I'd like to think I've got a good work ethic, but I'd call in sick as much as reasonable and use the allotted days. You keep a buffer for when you're really sick... but if they're offering you 10 days a year and you don't use it... think of all those long weekend you could have had. And it isn't like you can put a dollar value on your free time, especially if you have a home to care for and a kids to surprise... "Guess what, ya furry bastards? Mommy's home today!" That kinda thing. The kinda thing I wish my parents had done once in a while instead of slaving away to the man for decades straight. Also: don't take your funk to work. If it has you feeling bad, it could make somebody feel a lot worse. And nobody likes a runny nose. __________________ *Whatever you can carry.* "You should not drink... and bake."

10-07-2009, 10:21 PM	#11 (permalink)
kutulu Junkie	I'm about 50/50, I never feel guilty about calling in because I don't abuse the sick time I'm given. However, if I have a deadline near I'm probably going in unless it is really bad. Overall, it is kind of rude to come to work sick. The interesting thing is the difference between when I worked in food service vs. working as a professional. In the food service industry they are always shorthanded and it annoys managers when people call in. They would rather have you at work sick and handling people's food than calling in.

10-07-2009, 10:38 PM	#12 (permalink)
Daniel_ Evil Priest: The Devil Made Me Do It! Location: Southern England	I'd forgotten that the American system has a pre-defined number of sick days. This is a concept that in Europe seems hillarious. We go to work if we're well, and stay home if we're sick - but if you're well a lot, there's no chance to claim back the extra days. __________________ ╔═════════════════════════════════════════╗ Overhead, the Albatross hangs motionless upon the air, And deep beneath the rolling waves, In labyrinths of Coral Caves, The Echo of a distant time Comes willowing across the sand; And everthing is Green and Submarine ╚═════════════════════════════════════════╝

10-08-2009, 03:39 AM	#13 (permalink)
GreyWolf Sober Location: Eastern Canada	I've recently been diagnosed, uh designated, an essential employee (yea me, I'm SPECIAL!!), and have had a laptop computer inflicted on me. I've fought that for years as as far as I am concerned, when I walk out that door, work is behind me. I'll answer the phone at home (occasionally) and come to work if they need me, but when I'm home, I'm home. Now the idea is that if there's a pandemic and they close our office, I can still do most of my job from home via a VPN connection. Oh, and if I'm too sick to come in, but well enough to function minimally, I can maybe get a bit done in 5 minute increments. Their concern for my well-being would warm the cockles of my heart if I knew what cockles were, and there was any genuine concern for me. This is also the reason I refuse a company cell-phone. They want me to carry one but I've told them it WILL stay in the office when I leave. I have my own, personal cell-phone, and I'm not carrying 2. And they don't have the personal number. At my wife's office, they will actually call someone who calls in sick if the person doesn't report their symptoms!! The fact that it is legally none of their business will soon be tested by the union there, but they continue to call until the grievance is decided. Unbelievable. Too many people DO come to work when they probably shouldn't, but that is built in to the North American work ethic. I haven't seen the studies quoted above, but I have some nagging doubts about the definitions of cost to the economy they are using. __________________ *The secret to great marksmanship is deciding what the target was AFTER you've shot.*

10-08-2009, 08:06 AM	#14 (permalink)
snowy Kick Ass Kunoichi Location: Oregon	My policy is to take a day off if I'm feeling like I'm coming down with something (you know, that ooky tickly icky feeling) and go back to bed. In between naps, I attempt to drown whatever it is with copious amounts of liquids, hot and cold. Nine times out of ten I wake up the next day feeling fine. Thanks to email, it's usually fairly easy to deal with taking time off; I have a lot of different obligations at any given time (work, school, practica) but thankfully all of my supervisors for said things have email. By anecdotal comparison, my SO will often attempt to work through whatever it is that ails him, and ends up dragging out whatever it is for a week or so. He's decided that this winter will be different, especially since the university is requiring all professors to adhere to a more flexible attendance policy (thank you, swine flu). I'm just glad people are finally paying attention to how GROSS it is to sit in lecture and listen to twenty-plus people sniffle. Get well soon, Medi! __________________ If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau

10-11-2009, 10:24 AM	#16 (permalink)
G5_Todd Junkie Location: Reichstag	at my current job which i have been there for over 8 years i have only been out sick 1 time...however i dont lose my sick days if i dont use them they accumulate....but if i did have to use them by the end of the year i would be sick way more often... __________________ "....and when you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." -General Franks

10-11-2009, 11:53 AM	#18 (permalink)
Strange Famous follower of the child's crusade?	This year Ive had 3 days off when I fucked my back and literally couldnt leave the house. Last year I didnt have any time off, cant remember any further back. __________________ "Do not tell lies, and do not do what you hate, for all things are plain in the sight of Heaven. For nothing hidden will not become manifest, and nothing covered will remain without being uncovered." The Gospel of Thomas

10-11-2009, 05:55 PM	#19 (permalink)
hunnychile Alien Anthropologist Location: Between Boredom and Nirvana	Our Systems Manager calls off "sick" almost every Friday for the past 6 months. It's become a joke, as in: Me to a long time worker in the front office..."Where's C. today? Other coworker who sits next to the first person says, "Well...it's Friday." Then everyone around laughs loudly & we all say, "Oh yeah, C's Sick- Again! Sure.....HA!" No one understands why the owner hasn't had the HR Manager write him up for these excessive absences, as it causes the rest of us many hassles and we loose a lot of revenue from his absences. __________________ "I need compassion, understanding and chocolate." - NJB

10-13-2009, 06:56 PM	#22 (permalink)
boink Addict Location: Seattle	I work for a small company that can't afford for me to quit, so they accommodate a day off for illness or random car trouble Monday I was running a temperature of 102, doesn't sound like much but I felt like crap. I still went in (skilled labour, custom metal in rich peoples houses) cause I wanted my co worker to have 1/2 way decent partner on deck. but we got over the main hump Monday so I took today off. I feel allot better for the rest and will be back on tomorrow. I do feel lucky I work for a company who feels it's human assets have some value. at most I was sick for 3 weeks solid (so sick I went back to stay with MOM even !!) but I still had a job waiting for me. albeit a job without health care even today >_< oh, we have no stated policy of how many sick days, no work no pay. but no specific ammount of days gets you fired though. I do get 2 weeks vacation and I could clame a sick day as one of my vacation days if I had to I spose. __________________ when you believe in things that you don't understand, then you suffer. Superstition ain't the way. Last edited by boink; 10-13-2009 at 07:00 PM..

10-14-2009, 01:09 AM	#23 (permalink)
Nimetic Junkie Location: Melbourne, Australia	I reckon... you call in sick if you don't think it'd be safe to drive. Otherwise you show up, or not - depending on the criticality of your scheduled work.

10-15-2009, 12:46 AM	#24 (permalink)
Titan_Uranus Insane Location: South Africa	called in sick today ,got a bad middle ear infection.

10-15-2009, 02:16 AM	#26 (permalink)
Xerxys Junkie Location: My head.	^^ Heh, you don't say, for illiterate people like myself, prior to getting any form of employment I essentially sign something to the tune of, "These are my rules, you don't want them, get out". The companies here have made it look like they are doing us a favor , as if we have a "choice". Despite all that, it's funny how much I love the system here.

10-17-2009, 05:44 AM	#27 (permalink)
canuckguy I read your emails. Location: earth	A hang nail could cause me to phone in sick if I have something better to do. I get 10 paid sick days a year, my employer recommends you use them regardless of illness if you need them for a mental health day or whatever. I am a cyclist, the winter is approaching and I have saved most of my sick days for now so when the weather is good I can take off and get a good ride in and return to work the next day in a great mood. Last year I used only 6 of the 10 days available. You can't carry them over or bank them or get paid out for them so I try and use them. But that does not mean I still don't feel a bit guilty staying home and watching the 'The Burbs' while eating chips and dip.... If I am truly sick I usually drag my ass into the office because if I am going to feel miserable, I might as well come into work and get shit done. But I wake up with a sore throat, I am home on the couch.

10-17-2009, 05:52 AM	#28 (permalink)
Lady Bear Cub Crazy Location: north carolina	i don't even need to be sick to call out sick. i called out sick last night, but i really am sick and it sucks. __________________ "I give myself very good advice, But I very seldom follow it, Will I ever learn to do the things I should?"

10-23-2009, 02:32 AM	#29 (permalink)
gondath Insane Location: Alton, IL	I'll call off work if I'm sick enough, which usually means a day or two every time I get sick. I tend to get deathly ill for weeks at a time and need some medicine to keep living. I wish that more of my co-workers would stay away from the job when sick and not spread around the plague to the rest of us. If nothing else, I'd like to teach them to cover their mouths when they sneeze and cough.