I have been told that it is rude to go to work even when one is a little sick because of the risk of infecting others. However, (which is typically voiced by bosses) I have been told that one should only miss work if you are vomiting, deathly sick, need to go to the doctor.
2007-02-16 07:55:12 · 15 answers · asked by Just Wondering 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
I'd say if you are sick enough that your job performance could be relatively seriously hampered, stay home. For example, if you are taking pills that make it difficult for you to concentrate on your work because you are so drowsy, you might as well recover at home.)
Also, if you are contagious, stay home, depending on how much interaction you have with coworkers or people who have sensitive immune systems. For example, if you work in a cubicle and don't interact with others personally very much, you can go to work sick. But if you work with the elderly, for example, you would definitely not want to spread what you have around.
(Unfortunately, with many colds, you are contagious before you realize that you are sick. But you usually stop being contagious before you stop feeling sick.)
2007-02-16 17:39:50 · answer #1 · answered by drshorty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hopefully, you have a lot of sick leave. You don't just want to call off for every little thing. (head aches, etc.).
If you think you are contagious (sore throat, cold, flu) STAY HOME! If you have an upset stomach and are vomiting or coughing up a lung- STAY HOME!
Calling off also depends on how understanding, flexible and lenient your supervisor is where you work. If you are going to be fired because you call off too much, you may want to "judge" when you call off.
There are people who call off for all sorts of reasons at my workplace. We started keeping track- most of them call off on Wednesdays and the days after holidays and the days they come back from vacation. Very predictable.
2007-02-16 16:10:49 · answer #2 · answered by Lizzie 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think that it depends on the sort of "sick" that you are...If you are even in the least bit afraid that you might be contageous (something other than allergies, sinus issues or a small cold) you shouldn't go to work in my opinion...
Also, if you have a fever of 100 `F you shouldn't go to work...I am a teacher and even children are not allowed to attend school if a fever is present...
If a sickness persists, you should consult your doctor in deciding if your symptoms are signs of an infectious illness or not...
2007-02-16 16:05:33 · answer #3 · answered by shutterbug1410 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I work in a huge office, and we pass illness around like the plague here. I am 32 weeks pregnant and I really hate it when people come in hacking up a lung or talking about how they vomited all night the night before, etc. One girl even came in with strep throat! To me, that's just irresponsible. I'm so not a germophobe, but, really, if you're at all contagious, stay home. Especially if you work in close proximity with other people.
2007-02-16 16:13:08 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It really depends on your boss and type of work. My current boss told me to "go home and rest, and don't worry about tomorrow" when I came in with a cough. A previous boss told me that I "have to be on my deathbed to call in sick." When my girlfriend went into labour while I was at work, he said: "Do you really have to be there NOW?, can't you go in an hour, after you finish up here?" what a jerk!
Use your discretion based on the type of environment at work and try to get a feel of what is acceptable in your particular workplace.
2007-02-16 16:16:16 · answer #5 · answered by geescorpio 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Bosses with SENSE don't want their employees infecting one another. But feeling bad doesn't always mean you're contagious. Your doctor (or WebMD) can tell you how to estimate the risk.
2007-02-16 16:54:19 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it depends on your job and how important it is for you to be there. If you are contagious or feel like you can't function normally I wouldn't go but if you just have a little cold or something but feel like you can work normally I would go.
2007-02-16 16:04:51 · answer #7 · answered by aly 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When it could affect your health or be infectious to your coworkers.
This attitude of come in sick is great for the short term, but in the long term when everyone is out with the flu it becomes something else.
2007-02-16 16:36:20 · answer #8 · answered by mitchell2020 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you miss work you should be sick enough that you wouldn’t be able to perform your job properly.
Also if you’re very contagious it's not a great idea to go.
2007-02-16 16:07:30 · answer #9 · answered by taylor 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depends on your line of work. If you work with food, you shouldn't go to work if you have anything contagious.
However, most of the time you should only miss work if it would require a doctor's visit.
"The sniffles" is not a good excuse to miss work.
2007-02-16 15:59:59 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋