lcobb2
Cathlete
ITA!!! Yep, definitely. If I got sick and had to miss a day of Cathe (or any other day), I'd be totally pi$$ed off. Not kidding. Plus, it would put my little "bun in the oven" at risk. Rude people!!!
Rant!! (Fair warning!)
- Thread starter morningstar
- Start date
morningstar
Cathlete
This is just not true. There are plenty of people who have paid sick leave, but because they are afraid to be seen as being a slacker, or because they have an exagerrated sense of their own importance in the workplace, or because they want to be a martyr to the cause, they come in to work. Or perhaps they just missed all of the information that has been available for the past century or so about how viruses are transmitted from person to person.
How would you know? It's not like everyone who has a comprised immune system is necessarily going to tell you. Someone might have a condition they don't even know about, have an immune system issue that they didn't want to tell everyone else about.
MCunningham
Cathlete
I'm not saying that there are no people in the universe that have paid sick leave. I'm just saying keep in mind that many of us who go to work sick do so out of necessity and because we have no choice in the matter, so consider that not everyone is the rude slob that you're making them out to be. And many friends of mine have actually been put on notice by their companies that anyone who takes "too much" time off (of course, this is very subjective) is subject to "review of their employment status" with the companies; in this crappy economy, defense contracts are being cut all the time.
I am just saying that there are other sides of the story that should be considered before you rush to judgment about those of us who go to work sick.
Re: the immuno-compromised people... I know because I work on a team of only 11 people (we are not in customer service), and we are all very close (hang out outside of work, do barbecues, etc.) We are all friends. If someone was immuno-compromised, I'm pretty sure we'd all be aware of that.
I must reiterate: I agree with your original point. I'm just saying that it's unfair to load all of the blame onto the individuals. Many of the companies concerned here simply don't offer paid sick leave. If you want me to stay home, fine! Just pay me sick leave.
MC
I am just saying that there are other sides of the story that should be considered before you rush to judgment about those of us who go to work sick.
Re: the immuno-compromised people... I know because I work on a team of only 11 people (we are not in customer service), and we are all very close (hang out outside of work, do barbecues, etc.) We are all friends. If someone was immuno-compromised, I'm pretty sure we'd all be aware of that.
I must reiterate: I agree with your original point. I'm just saying that it's unfair to load all of the blame onto the individuals. Many of the companies concerned here simply don't offer paid sick leave. If you want me to stay home, fine! Just pay me sick leave.
MC
SirenSongWoman
Cathlete
I agree 100% with the if-you're-sick-stay-home sentiment. HOWEVER, the place where I work now is very old school in that Management believes you come to work no matter how sick you think you are. If you don't, you better be bleeding from your ears and have a note from your doctor. And when you come back from being "sick" Management really messes with you because they don't believe you (or they think you're telling the truth but you're a big wimp).
dorothyrd
Cathlete
Stacey, I think there are many places like that. We get 6 hours a month. I know the average cold takes longer than 6 hours to get over. So just like kids go to school with colds because they cannot afford to miss a whole week of school, people go to work because they cannot afford to miss a whole week.
We all work in close quarters, and yes, there have been some people around me that sound like they should stay home. But they have also sounded like that for a month. So 6 hours a month is not enough time for them to recover. I had a co-worker get written up for staying home several days to take care of her husband who was very sick and ended up in the hospital. Now she is afraid to take off for anything. The jobs are not plentiful, and we all have to be careful.
As far as the kids who get perfect attendance(and mine were never one of them, if they are too sick, they stay home, but I had the advantage of working at home when they were young), from what I see, it is the kids who want it because the school makes it glamorous to get, not the parents. My daughter is in high school and has a difficult time catching up if she misses, so she insists on going to school at times that I think she should stay home. But she is right, her grades suffer because things move so fast, and it is real difficult to catch up. I know a lot of high schoolers in this situation.
We all work in close quarters, and yes, there have been some people around me that sound like they should stay home. But they have also sounded like that for a month. So 6 hours a month is not enough time for them to recover. I had a co-worker get written up for staying home several days to take care of her husband who was very sick and ended up in the hospital. Now she is afraid to take off for anything. The jobs are not plentiful, and we all have to be careful.
As far as the kids who get perfect attendance(and mine were never one of them, if they are too sick, they stay home, but I had the advantage of working at home when they were young), from what I see, it is the kids who want it because the school makes it glamorous to get, not the parents. My daughter is in high school and has a difficult time catching up if she misses, so she insists on going to school at times that I think she should stay home. But she is right, her grades suffer because things move so fast, and it is real difficult to catch up. I know a lot of high schoolers in this situation.
LaughingWater
Cathlete
Yep, I was one of those students who went to school sick. I took great notes and didn't want to depend on anyone else's to get caught up. 
I also understand those who either have no paid sick leave or feel uneasy taking time off.
That's why I said earlier...you really can't avoid this sometimes, which is why we should focus on keeping ourselves as healthy as possible. I used to catch colds and the flu quite frequently, but I also wasn't taking very good care of myself. Now, while I'm not thrilled when someone shows up sick (like yesterday...our choir director came to our fundraiser...with the flu...yikes!), I know I've taken my vitamins, eaten well, and have maintained a good sleep schedule. I wash my hands and hope for the best. *shrug*
What bugs me is when people have a choice, like a Christmas party. That is not a "must attend" function where your job or your grade is on the line. I know it sucks to miss having fun with friends, but if you or your kid is sick, you need to pass up the festivities.
I also understand those who either have no paid sick leave or feel uneasy taking time off.
That's why I said earlier...you really can't avoid this sometimes, which is why we should focus on keeping ourselves as healthy as possible. I used to catch colds and the flu quite frequently, but I also wasn't taking very good care of myself. Now, while I'm not thrilled when someone shows up sick (like yesterday...our choir director came to our fundraiser...with the flu...yikes!), I know I've taken my vitamins, eaten well, and have maintained a good sleep schedule. I wash my hands and hope for the best. *shrug*
What bugs me is when people have a choice, like a Christmas party. That is not a "must attend" function where your job or your grade is on the line. I know it sucks to miss having fun with friends, but if you or your kid is sick, you need to pass up the festivities.
Just want to add my own story here. I totally agree you should stay home if your sick. HOWEVER... I work for a HOSPITAL, and am a nurse, and guess what... call in sick more than two days a year and you have to be counseled!! After that you get probation, suspension...
So, there are times you almost have to prioritize how sick you really are. No lie, I have already had to go in sick, and would rather be sent home by my coworkers. How ridiculous is that. But its my job and I need it.
So, truly i see both sides of this and wish my employer would understand but unfortunately that isn't how it works.
So, there are times you almost have to prioritize how sick you really are. No lie, I have already had to go in sick, and would rather be sent home by my coworkers. How ridiculous is that. But its my job and I need it.
So, truly i see both sides of this and wish my employer would understand but unfortunately that isn't how it works.
maggiethecat
Cathlete
Generally speaking you are more contagious when you have not yet presented any symptoms. The best way to not get sick is not to avoid folks who are sick like the plague; but to instead take really good care of yourself eating right and all that. Stuff goes around and people get sick, I have never understood the compulsion to have someone to blame for that.
--Laura
--Laura
SirenSongWoman
Cathlete
Do you ever wonder what would happen if that first sick person had stayed home from the get-go? They wouldn't have passed it to the next person, and the next, ultimately getting a second round just as they're getting over the first. I think that's how I wound up with a cold for five months last year. And like you said, you can't exactly call off for five months.
It really irritates me, though, when our Managers roll their eyes at us like we're a bunch of drama queens. They act like "Hey, I can make it to work" but that's because when you stand around watching people all day you're a lot less likely to catch the germs that make you sick in the first place. Meanwhile, we're touching everything everyone else has touched in five states. We're perpetually under-the-weather but our immune systems are tough... or else we'd all be dead by now! You really do get fed up being sick, though.
LaughingWater
Cathlete
Honestly, I'm not sure that would make a huge difference. Think about all the places you visit, all the door handles and counters you touch, the keyboard, the phone, the light switch, the money you exchange, etc.
My MIL never leaves her house. Never. My FIL leaves their property (they live out in the middle of nowhere) once a week to go grocery shopping. So basically, they rarely see people.
She still manages to get sick. And yes, she gets sick all by herself, while my FIL is fine.
DH is an Infectious Disease doc, and one of his favorite sayings is "The bugs will win in the end." You just gotta take care of yourself, wash your hands, and hope for the best.
dorothyrd
Cathlete
That first person sounded really sick for about a week. 6 hours would not have cured her. Now maybe if she had stayed home the first day, she would have gotten better faster, but I don't know.
I got a cold for the first time in 5 years. I got it from my daughter, and she looks like she has strep, although the rapid screen was negative. I have to call in about an hour to see about the culture. I am not near as sick as her, so my immune system fought this off. Probably because I had everything when I was younger.
Honestly, no one stays home for a cold. The flu yes, but not a cold.
I got a cold for the first time in 5 years. I got it from my daughter, and she looks like she has strep, although the rapid screen was negative. I have to call in about an hour to see about the culture. I am not near as sick as her, so my immune system fought this off. Probably because I had everything when I was younger.
Honestly, no one stays home for a cold. The flu yes, but not a cold.
morningstar
Cathlete
I wonder if anyone's opinion on this topic would change if the illness was SARS or H1N1?
LaughingWater
Cathlete
I think flu is a little different than the common cold. It's a bit more dangerous, though honestly, H1N1 doesn't scare me.
SARS makes me a little more uncomfortable.
SARS makes me a little more uncomfortable.
hiitdogs
Cathlete
ITA, well said!
dorothyrd
Cathlete
No, we were actually talking about this at work. We discussed how woefully inadequate our sick policy is if we got H1N1 and had to take off the 7 days or whatever. We would all get written up. Plus the fact they have us packed on top of each other in tiny cubicles(a recent development and not condusive to good thinking at all), we are sure we would have our own little pandemic.
And we are the lucky ones. We actually do get sick time, although only 13 hours a quarter. Many people do not have sick time and cannot take off.
syzygy314
Cathlete
Here, here! I rasie my glass (of water, of course) to you! We have the same problem at our office. What's wrong with people? They think they're being dedicated and showing how hard they work, but what they are is INCONSIDERATE of everyone else! Especially those whose immune systems are weakened by other things. No one wants to get sick, but I agree with you 200% They should just stay home or go to their doctor, THEN stay home!
MCunningham
Cathlete
Oy, does this subject have to be raised again? I go to work sick. I have to because I don't get sick leave. I'm not heroic, I don't think I'm indispensable or anything like that. If you want me (and others like me) to stay home, write your representatives and tell them that you want some mandatory sick leave for everyone. Then this wouldn't be a problem.
I hate to keep posting and beating this dead horse, but I feel I should post to defend those of us who are getting nasty generalizations hurled in our direction. Not all of us are as lucky as those of you who either get sick leave or can afford to take leave without pay.
MC
I hate to keep posting and beating this dead horse, but I feel I should post to defend those of us who are getting nasty generalizations hurled in our direction. Not all of us are as lucky as those of you who either get sick leave or can afford to take leave without pay.
MC
I agree with you. I am a gov't employee and get a lot of sick leave through the year but I've used it up because my father's sick. If I take a day off - even one day off - it would have to be unpaid and that means I'd lose about $200 or more a day. Not gonna happen!