sick co-worker

[ducklite]

While I totally agree with staying home if you are sick - I have to stand up for the coughers of the world. I have Reactive Airway Disease/Cough Varient Asthma. So does my Dad, so does my son, so do many other people. What this means is that anytime my airways get inflamed (could be a cold, an infection, or allergies), I cough - and I do it loudly. A cough usually lasts for weeks or months. It's gross, it's awful, but it's my life.

I also have this form of asthma as well. And it can be tough to be around people when you are having an episode. You are annoying yourself, and know you must be annoying others as well. The difference is that even though our coughing might be annoying, most of the time we are not contagious. The sneezing isn't present. The man in the OP is obviously sick and probably contagious. Big difference.

Anne

 

[chrissyk]

There is one in every office IMHO. My solution was to keep Lysol wipes and spray in my cube and to wipe down the phone, computer, desk, etc. several times a day during cold/flu season. That didn't always stop me from getting sick if a hacking co-worker was particularly intent on coming to work ill, but it helped. Also, getting a flu shot is a must if you have a co-worker like that! Who knows what they are carrying! I really feel for the people with asthma and other illnesses who do NOT need to catch someone else's cold. If you're sick, stay home!!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

While a big PITA that the guy is there spreading his cooties--do we really know about his situation re: sick leave and vacation time?

When I worked--I had to accrue sick time at a rate of 4 hours per month. If I otherwise feel find but have cold symptoms annoying to others--I couldn't just stay home b/c of it. However--I wouldn't have tried to spread my germs everywhere and would have been grateful for the cough drops.

(Lil Tink--I cough/sneeze that way as well--actually turn around from whomever I am facing and aim for the floor. Sometimes handwashing isn't readily available).

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

This runs along the same lines as people who travel while they are extremely ill. They don't want to lose their precious vacation, but don't mind getting everyone else sick in the process. I had a lovely lady (at the height of SARS in Toronto) sit in front of me on the airplane with her surgical mask dangling around her neck. She coughed loudly throughout the entire flight and didn't put her mask back on. Needless to say 5 days later I was very ill.

Again--how do you know the situation? Do you know she had SARS?

In the land of non-refundable...what exactly do you do. Throw away a trip b/c of a cold for $$$$.

What if her doctor approved her for travel?

Granted--if she had a surgical mask, she probably should have been using it.

 

[epcotfan]

Again--how do you know the situation? Do you know she had SARS?

In the land of non-refundable...what exactly do you do. Throw away a trip b/c of a cold for $$$$.

What if her doctor approved her for travel?

Granted--if she had a surgical mask, she probably should have been using it.

I never said she had SARS. The only reason I mentioned SARS was because some passengers chose to use surgical masks for additional protection at that particular time. I didn't understand why she would get a mask at that time and then not use it on the plane. Especially with her symptoms. She looked and sounded extremely ill. A little cold is one thing, but travelling with the flu, virus-of-day or other contagious illness is another.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I never said she had SARS. The only reason I mentioned SARS was because some passengers chose to use surgical masks for additional protection at that particular time. I didn't understand why she would get a mask at that time and then not use it on the plane. Especially with her symptoms. She looked and sounded extremely ill. A little cold is one thing, but travelling with the flu, virus-of-day or other contagious illness is another.

Just mentioned it b/c you did.

But unless you know the precise circumstances, it is judging to assume that she's placing her desires for vacation above others health. What if she were on her way home. Or going to recuperate (sp?) someplace. Not all travel can be changed easily without a huge financial burden.

I was at disney once and came down with the flu. I drove home after the weekend was over....but if I had to fly home--I wouldn't change my travel plans b/c of it. The airline could care less about me having the flu so long as they got their $100 change fee plus the new value for the ticket.

Some don't have $500-$1000 to just stay in bed an extra day.

I was sick on a plane once many years ago b/c of morning sickness. Glad I mentioned something to the person sitting next to me though. I looked pale and pasty and felt yucky. I'm sure they would have assumed I was spreading nasty germs.

Sure it is incosiderate of some to not stay in their home for 6 weeks as they recover from colds and other illnesses..but it isn't financially feasible to pick the most considerate option all the time.

I often wonder though--what do hospital workers do? Anybody know?

 

[yeartolate]

I often wonder though--what do hospital workers do? Anybody know?

Hopefully stay home when they are febrile and spewing.

Nothing worse in a hospital than one Typhoid Mary coming in "because she doesn't want to desert her coworkers" (translation - wants to save her PTO for Hawaii)and dessimating an entire staff. (ok, not so great for the patients either!!!)

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Hopefully stay home when they are febrile and spewing.

Nothing worse in a hospital than one Typhoid Mary coming in "because she doesn't want to desert her coworkers" (translation - wants to save her PTO for Hawaii)and dessimating an entire staff. (ok, not so great for the patients either!!!)

I guess I am not asking about that.

I'm talking about the minor illnesses that can be contagious....

a simple cold, a sore throat....et cetera.

Rule of thumb in my household growing up--was having a fever. We only stayed home for colds when they were the disabling kind (throbbing head--et cetera). Otherwise went to work or school. Military was great for that. You could stay home when you were dying and had orders to do so.

If I calculated the number of days I am sick per year--it is in excess of any vacation amount I ever had at work....IF I had to stay home for evey little sniffle.

I know doctors aren't by the hippocratic (sp?) oath-graced with immunity from minor illnesses.

 

[yeartolate]

If you have a fever associated with any excessive secretions, it is a good sign to stay home.

Simple cold, no fever? If you can control your bodily fluids, fine. You don't need to stay home with a non draining stuffy nose with no fever.

Frankly, when folks show up sick they are worthless anyway. Bedside nursing is a very physical job (especially these days!) and the folks who show up feverish and achy are a drain on the rest of the staff.

 

[Maleficent13]

Hopefully stay home when they are febrile and spewing.

Nothing worse in a hospital than one Typhoid Mary coming in "because she doesn't want to desert her coworkers" (translation - wants to save her PTO for Hawaii)and dessimating an entire staff. (ok, not so great for the patients either!!!)

I take exception to this statement. Around here, nurses are in VERY short supply. One nurse calling off one shift results in less quality of care for the patients. I am not advocating a contagious person coming in if they know they are contagious, but most likely if you see a sick nurse on duty, it ain't because she's saving PTO for Hawaii...it's because she knows her coworkers and patients will suffer if she calls off. It's a catch 22 for a lot of them.

People in regular office jobs...stay the heck home.

 

[Caleb's Mom]

Sick Day, What's a sick day???? I'd be curious to know how many people out there actually get sick days any more at their jobs. Neither my husband nor I are familiar with the concept of a paid day off to be sick at home. In this day and age a person can't afford to be ill unfortunately.

 

[mainewmn]

Ok so I have a cold, I got it from one of these folks, my DH, DS, or my boss. I feel icky, achy, my nose is stuffed up and I can’t breath, and my throat hurts like I just swallowed a roll of barbed wire but I’m at work today. Why, because I have work to complete. I wash my hands as often as I can, I try to blow my nose as often as I can, I have plenty of cough drops and other meds here and most of all I have work that HAS to get done today. Tomorrow I have meetings so it doesn’t look good for calling out either, Friday is my turn to cover the office so I guess I have to suck it up and work through it for the time being. My coworkers know I’m sick and for the sake of keeping my germs to myself I will try to secluded myself as much as I can, but I cannot guarantee anyone that I won’t get them sick! Such is life, if I called out sick every time I was ill I would use all my vacation/sick time off for minor colds. JMHO

EDT: Yes I do get sick days and I use them when I need to but days like today I absolutely have to be at work and sick day or no I have work to do, such is nature of the beast called mortgage and bills.

 

[luvwinnie]

We get ten sick days per year here.

 

[experiment626mom]

We get sick days AND he can work from home. There is no reason for him to be here spreading his germs!! I think that's what is getting to all of us that have to suffer with him.

 

[Maleficent13]

We don't have "sick" time or "vacation" time. It's all lumped under "PTO" (paid time off). You can use PTO for whatever you like...vacation, sick, personal, whatever. I currently accrue 5 weeks a year of PTO. Which I can roll into next year if I don't use it.

 

[Crankyshank]

Well then you would certainly hate to work with me.
I am currently suffering from a sinus infection. I am on antibiotics and no one is at risk of catching my sinus infection and I am at work. Why? Because quite frankly there is no one that can cover my duties until November 1st because we have a dept staffing shortage due to vacations, illness, and medical leave. It's hard enough finding coverage for an hour so I can take a lunch. This particular issue is not just isolated to my current job - I know plenty of others in the same situation and I know my previous job at another company had lay off after lay off so people really couldn't take time off without significantly overburdening their co-workers.

As far as the cough, I cough when my allergies are inflammed. Especially if it's dusty, or when I'm coming off of an asthma attack. I cough loudly and deeply and I'm not about to stifle it because it might offend someone. When I was a child, my Mother was forever worried I had croup because I always had a deep barking cough. Cough drops don't help.

 

[Bob Slydell]

I think it depends on the illness -- I mean, if everyone took off everytime they had a cold or sinus infection, no work would get done for the entire winter in the North. But for something like a flu or worse, then by all means, stay home.

 

[Marseeya]

Sick Day, What's a sick day???? I'd be curious to know how many people out there actually get sick days any more at their jobs. Neither my husband nor I are familiar with the concept of a paid day off to be sick at home. In this day and age a person can't afford to be ill unfortunately.

My DH sure doesn't get sick days (he's upper management). He can only take off if he's incapacitated, and even then it's iffy. They can really risk losing their jobs in his company if they call off sick too much. Fortunately, my DH doesn't get sick much, but I'd be screwed if I had his position.

Between the kids getting sick and giving it to me, and me getting sick on my own, I'd never be able to take off for colds. Then again, the point is moot because I don't work.

ETA: I totally agree with those who get aggravated about sick people at work or school. But blame the system, not the sickos.

 

[luvwinnie]

I think it depends on the illness -- I mean, if everyone took off everytime they had a cold or sinus infection, no work would get done for the entire winter in the North. But for something like a flu or worse, then by all means, stay home.

I can see coming in with a cold...but I think the real issue here is BEING CONSIDERATE. The OP is talking about someone who isn't practicing good hygiene. Those people are the problem. YOu can come in and not cough all over the place like this person is doing.

 

[Bob Slydell]

Oh, I agree with the OP that her co-worker sounds extremely inconciderate, it's just when topics like this come up (seems like it's about this time every year ), there's always a group of folks who seem to think that every time every person gets the slightest sniffle, they should be calling in sick. That's just not feasible, IMO.