sick co-worker

[mainewmn]

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.

Couldn’t said it better myself!

 

[luvwinnie]

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.

Right. There have been times I've had to drag myself in here.

 

[Hillbeans]

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.

Well said Bob.

 

[ReadingBelle]

I've definitely been in the position where I had to come in and work despite being really sick. In the world of journalism, deadlines are deadlines, no matter how many people are there to work. A sick person isn't going to be as productive, but even someone working at 30% is better than just not having the person there.

At the same time, if there was a time when staying home wouldn't cause a huge disaster, I did it. There is no reason to infect others -- that is why we have sick leave. It is important to do your best to stop the spread of any contagious disease.

 

[epcotfan]

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

My mother is an RN and is advised to stay home if she is ill. Her patients are fragile and a simple illness could severely compromise their health. On her unit they have closed it to visitors occasionally if there is an outbreak of some sickness. They don't want visitors bringing in something that could spread throughout the hospital and patients.

I recall someone going to WDW with the chicken pox. Over the duration of their trip one of their kids contracted it. They felt miserable but continued to tour around the parks anyway. I still think it is wrong to knowingly start a vacation when contagious with such a serious illness. Not only are you putting your own health in jeopardy, but others as well.

 

[WhoopyPie]

Where I work we have to be there. There aren't any sick days. The owner expects everyone to be there everyday. You have to work 6 months for 2 sick days, but don't take them.

Sometimes you just can't take the time off.

 

[Marseeya]

I recall someone going to WDW with the chicken pox. Over the duration of their trip one of their kids contracted it. They felt miserable but continued to tour around the parks anyway. I still think it is wrong to knowingly start a vacation when contagious with such a serious illness. Not only are you putting your own health in jeopardy, but others as well.

If you're referring to me and my trip reports (which my son and I did both catch chicken pox... me a week & a half before the trip, and him, the day we got there), then you're VERY mistaken.

My DS stayed in the room the entire time we knew he had it. The only time he was out of the room was during our first night there at Boma, and he hadn't shown any pox yet. We stayed for 10 days and lost out on his park tickets. We informed our maid of his illness and spoke with the front desk (although not the manager directly).

If you're not talking about my situation, then I apologize for jumping in.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

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.

Then report it to management. IF there is ways he can wrok around it--then he should do that.

But for many it isn't an option and the sweeping generalizations aren't fair when the bulk of the work force doesn't have the flexibility as your co-worker. If your co-worker has that much flexibility availalbe to him..then I agree--he's being a creep!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I recall someone going to WDW with the chicken pox. Over the duration of their trip one of their kids contracted it. They felt miserable but continued to tour around the parks anyway. I still think it is wrong to knowingly start a vacation when contagious with such a serious illness. Not only are you putting your own health in jeopardy, but others as well.

well chicken pox are another whole can of worms. They should have quarantined that kid to the room until the yucky scabs formed...once that happens, I believe you are no longer contagious--though it ain't pretty. I cannot imagine the kid felt great doing all that stuff while sick.

That is dumb parenting! (ETA: Not to mention a potentially deadly decision on unsuspecting resort and theme park guests).

 

[luvwinnie]

Where I work we have to be there. There aren't any sick days. The owner expects everyone to be there everyday. You have to work 6 months for 2 sick days, but don't take them.

Sometimes you just can't take the time off.

I do NOT get this at all... you are HUMANS, not robots. He/she expects you to be there with 102 fever and productive cough?

 

[magicfan]

Where I work we have to be there. There aren't any sick days. The owner expects everyone to be there everyday. You have to work 6 months for 2 sick days, but don't take them.

Sometimes you just can't take the time off.

I am having trouble believing this.

1) First of all, there is probably some law that protects you from being forced to work while sick, and not being "allowed" to EVER take a day off if you are SICK. Especially if you are contagious.

2) If you've ever had the full blown flu and are sicker than a dog from both ends---where you cant even get out of bed without throwing up, please tell me how you CAN get up and go to work? At times it is physically impossible.

3) If you would choose to go to work and be around others, knowing you have something very contagious (pink eye, bad case of the flu, etc...) I think that is totally wrong, selfish, etc...


I'm not talking about a minor cold, either. In that case, if you do not want to stay home, at least be considerate of others. Try to stay away from people, wash hands often, use lysol and wipes, etc... dont cough in your hand, then touch things, etc...

Although...that does not always help. I have gotten sick many times even through all those measures.

ETA: I just went back and read all the posts and I understand now why SOME people may need to be at work--for fear of losing job, etc... but there are times when you cannot go in--not physically posible.

 

[magicfan]

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.

QUOTE]


This is not true. There are rules about contagious people flying---they can refuse to let you on the plane.

 

[WhoopyPie]

I am having trouble believing this.

You don't HAVE to work sick.

What is your job exactly? I'd really like to know.

You can believe it or not, but I live it. People have taken off when full blown sick, but colds and things, no way. I work in wastewater management testing.

Yes people do have to work sick, it means sometimes no work, no pay and bills are due. You I guess happen to be very lucky. I know there were others that have said there are no such things as sick days. I have a BIL who is upper mgt. and can never take a day off. So companies are just like that. Welcome to the real world now. Oh also we only get 5 days a year off for Holidays, New Years, X-mas Thanksgiving (1 day) most I know get 2. July 4th and Memorial Day. Labor Day we all split 1/2 day.

 

[magicfan]

You can believe it or not, but I live it. People have taken off when full blown sick, but colds and things, no way. I work in wastewater management testing.

Yes people do have to work sick, it means sometimes no work, no pay and bills are due. You I guess happen to be very lucky. I know there were others that have said there are no such things as sick days. I have a BIL who is upper mgt. and can never take a day off. So companies are just like that. Welcome to the real world now. Oh also we only get 5 days a year off for Holidays, New Years, X-mas Thanksgiving (1 day) most I know get 2. July 4th and Memorial Day. Labor Day we all split 1/2 day.

I edited my post and added that I was not talking about minor colds. In that case, be considerate of your co-workers. I'm not talking about you, personally.

In the past I have worked where there were no assigned sick days, but if I was too sick to work, I did not go in. If a bill was late, it was better than throwing up on customers/clients. Not to mention, getting everyone else sick. When that happens it causes more problems, more people to take off work sick, less work being done, less productivity, etc..

I am trying to understand why people go to work sick, but I don't have to like it. As someone else said, it may be the company's fault. However, there are people who can take off who choose not to. Those people are very inconsiderate.

Also:
I came down with the flu while visiting my relatives a couple years ago and I checked into a hotel. I did not get to join in on all the fun, but then again, I got the R&R I needed and did not get anyone else sick.

 

[phillybeth]

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.

Cough drops do not help this kind of cough. Cough drops are for tickles. If you take a cough drop during a bronchial spasm you risk choking to death.

While obviously I do my best to keep from having this problem, and I most certainly cover my mouth, it would simply not be possible to hold a job and not go when I might cough. Mmm, maybe WELFARE or Disability would be the way to go - I'll never have to work again!

THANK YOU! My DH has cough-variant asthma and I wish I could stop the nasty looks he gets when he coughs in public. He's not spreading disease people, he's trying to BREATHE!
And trust me, if he truly is sick, even with a cold, he's home so he doesn't get sicker.

 

[yeartolate]

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.

I disagree - I have heard nurses say as much. Particularlly the younger ones with little PTO build up.

One person coming in with a febrile spewing illness can easily translate into 20 coworkers ill in short order (let alone the patients). It is really a no brainer. Any supervisor (outside of disaster conditions) who said differently is a fool and ill advised. We are not talking a stuffy nose or allergies or asthma. We are talking folks with malaise, fever.....possibly with either coughing or GI symptoms.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I can perfectly understand people coming to work with things not contagious. I have done that. Things like sinus infections and whatnot. I think the OP was really venting about the coworking hacking, coughing, and sneezing without covering his mouth or using tissues. I would be peeved too.

If I'm not contagious and can work I will do so.

 

[Marseeya]

I can perfectly understand people coming to work with things not contagious. I have done that. Things like sinus infections and whatnot. I think the OP was really venting about the coworking hacking, coughing, and sneezing without covering his mouth or using tissues. I would be peeved too.

If I'm not contagious and can work I will do so.

Being sick (contagious or not) is one of those issues where you're danged if you do and danged if you don't. If you don't go to work, your coworkers get upset and if you do go, they get upset.

At my last job, my coworker/manager rarely got sick and when she did, she'd come to work. She was so proud of the fact that she could work with the flu or pneumonia. Only problem is, she'd give it to me, which would lay me flat for days, as my immune system stinks.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Marseeya,

At my old job we had a woman we called "the martyr." She would have a headache, a cold, a sinus infection, a bladder infection (which we heard to many details about), etc. She would go on and on and on about how she felt absolutely terrible but she was there, she was working, she could go on, you get the idea. I always wanted to say to her, "We are sooooooooo blessed to have you here while you are obviously on your deathbed. Here is a plaque to commemorate your bravery."

 

[laurie31]

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.

My first thought was asthma when the OP described how loud the cough was. It would also explain why he said it was impossible that he made anyone else sick. I'm sure the couch is distracting, but it's likely he isn't contagious.

Just keep washing your hands and don't touch your eyes or nose unless you've JUST washed them, and you will be safe from the germies Not refering specifically to the coughing guy's germs, but all the cold germs in general that are "out there" just waiting to find a new forever home. Adopt a pet, not a microorganism

Laurie