He thinks it's cool that he's "never missed a day of work due to illness"...yet he's sitting behind me hacking and wheezing and I'm not sure but I think one of his lungs may come flying out at any moment. I think it is so disrespectful to everyone else at work to come in when you're sick, how can I let him know that he is being inconsiderate to those who have to share his workspace?
2007-03-21 03:48:31 · 13 answers · asked by Sue O 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
here is a link to an article all about how companies lose craploads of money b/c people come in sick and get everyone else sick...
http://www.boston.com/news/globe/health_science/articles/2005/12/19/sick_and_tired_at_work/
i have talked to HR, but they (it's just one person) just shrug b/c she has no real authority...
i did say, "gosh! sounds like you're still pretty sick, man."
boss was like, "yeah, it just won't go away."
i was like, "hope i don't get it."
he says, "yeah."
great.
2007-03-21 04:08:16 · update #1
it's all good. thanks for the answers, i guess i just needed to vent more than anything since i know there's really nothing i can do except say more passive aggressive things...with any luck i'll be leaving for medical school in three months anyway. jeez, he's on the phone now and he sounds like total crap...all i can do now is just laugh.
2007-03-21 04:41:00 · update #2
Unfortunately, unless the company has a written policy in place that requires sick people to stay home, there is nothing that HR can do about forcing your boss to go home. The HR department has to follow employment laws and sometimes that means that they cannot do what makes sense to the workers.
As an HR person, I cannot force a person to go home when they are sick.
All that the HR person is able to do is to ask the boss that it might be a good idea for them to go home because they need to get better. However, if a boss refuses, their hands are tied. It might be that the HR person realizes that talking to the person is a waste of time.
I like the sanitizer idea as it's probably the best way to protect yourself. Also, because cold germs can live on a surface for up to 3 days, make sure you don't rub your eyes, nose, or any part of your body with an open wound or scratch without COMPLETELY washing your hands (including the cracks in the knuckles and sides of your fingers).
Your boss is being inconsiderate, but because I'm in management, I understand why he feels that he cannot leave. It may be that there are some important deadlines he is working on, so he doesn't feel he can leave work.
2007-03-21 04:34:48 · answer #1 · answered by Searcher 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I hate it when co workers come in with a fever, diarrhea etc.
Worked with a girl that had a stomach bug and was in the bathroom every few mins, and I had to do all the patient work ups. Although , my work load was increased, it would have been easier for me if she would not have come in at all. Some people live to work, especially an older employee, they think the place will shut down if they are not there. Human resources can not make someone go home but could say to the boss " hey, your looking pretty bad today, you really should go home" Or "hey, you are coughing all over the place, we really can not afford for everyone to get sick, we would appreciate it if you went home until you are better for the sake of the other employees"
Unfortunately some will not take the hint.
You could approach the boss and say "hey, that's quite a cold you have there, I hope I don't get it, I can not afford to miss work, ( and if you have kids) you could add, if I get it the kids will get it and I will even miss more work, don't you think it would be a good idea for the well being of the rest of us to go home"
2007-03-21 04:54:28 · answer #2 · answered by vivib 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't understand at all why people think it is okay to go to work, or anywhere (supermarket, etc) while sick either. You don't have to sneeze to infect others, breathing is enough. Its rude and thoughtless
Unfortunately this is the boss/supervisor/whatever, otherwise I would say something to another person who is spreading their illness.
Even is someone has been ill for a few days and feels a little better, they tend to say "oh, I am not contageous anymore" What???? They don't walk around with a petrie dish and microscope.
If this is a constant thing with him, wear a surgical face mask. If you get ill, remind him that he is the source, perhaps he could give you one of his sick days as compensation.
With all of the new strains of flu arising, this sort of behaviour could be a huge problem particularly due the predictions of a pendemic.
2007-03-21 05:27:10 · answer #3 · answered by Pacifica 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I used to brag about never missing work too. I got over it!
Not much you can do. Telling him that he's making others sick is not a good argument because.... he would expect you to come in when you are sick as well.
I like the surgical mask suggest by a couple of people. At the very least you get some level of protection even if he doesn't get the point.
2007-03-21 04:03:52 · answer #4 · answered by Ernie 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should keep hand sanitizer with you on your desk, and i love the surgical mask idea. Maybe sometime when he is around you can make it noticeable that you are having to work harder to keep from getting sick and offer some hand sanitizer as a hint. Or you could bluntly come out and tell him that he is going to cause others to get sick and you are worried about your health. Considering he is your boss it may be risky to do this but if it does work the least he could do is stay away from you.
2007-03-21 04:27:37 · answer #5 · answered by Firefly 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
they'll artwork for under British workers, it is all incorrect. British workers might take the jobs if the ought to stay to tell the story on what grasping employers are arranged to pay them, yet they are able to't stay to tell the story. If immigration became stopped then British workers might have jobs because of fact employers could be compelled to pay a ideal salary.
2016-11-27 19:37:57 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I feel, coming to work when sick is quite a great thing. In my last job, they did not seem happy anytime I took sick leave and it almost costed me my job. Companies want us to be there at work. They do give sick leaves, but it is only to be used in emergencies. Perhaps he feels that he can still manage working. Maybe you can gently let him know that he should really rest at home since he seems really very unwell.
But I wouldn't bring the germs topic up.. it might sound u r criticising him...he is your boss.. plus he is certainly more experienced, so perhaps he knows what he is doing.
2007-03-21 03:57:32 · answer #7 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
You have done everything you can. He is the boss. Maybe you can wear a mask but it probably won't matter to him. Start looking for another job. If he asks why you're leaving, tell him.
2007-03-21 04:38:37 · answer #8 · answered by notyou311 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would just come out & tell him. I hate when people act all high & mighty because they never took a sick day. Hello? That's why companies allow you sick leave....for when you are SICK. Tell him that you would prefer he stay home and that you don't feel like sharing his germs.
2007-03-21 03:52:57 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If he is your boss I would advise against speaking to him directly regarding this issue. It will most likely rub him the wrong way and the last person you want pissed off at you is your boss! Talk to Human Resources about the issue.
2007-03-21 04:01:17 · answer #10 · answered by Vivita 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋