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Obviously inspired by the blog thread about getting fired.
When should you call in sick?
For example, earlier this year I was hit by terrible migraines and I started to acquire a cough. The next day, in the evening, the cough got a lot worse and I measured a fever of 101, and was feeling constantly nauseous. I took two days off. By the weekend I was getting exhausted if I didn't get way more sleep than normal, threw up a few times, and was occasionally coughing up blood in my mucus and the fever wasn't going down, so we went to see the doctor who diagnosed it, prescribed antibiotics, and said that at this point in the disease I shouldn't be any more infectious than any other guy with a regular cough. Even after I finished off the antibiotics, the fever and migraines had gone away, but the cough persisted for another week and a half.
I'm guessing that during the earlier part of the sickness I was actually infectious and it was a good thing for me to stay home for a bit.
But in the other thread I was reading things along the lines of, "if you're not in the hospital, go to work" and I really can't understand that at all. Surely everybody would be happier if I kept my sick ass home than if I didn't due to some misplaced sense of "I'll look like a pussy if I take a day off," wouldn't they?
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Everything is situational and judged by your position. If your a peon who has been working at a place for 30 days don't take time off. If you are pretty well situated in your job take time off when your sick.
Simple as that.
edit: of course if its life threatening illness then other situations apply hence the situational part I put in the first sentence
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In my case I always simply contact my boss(es) ahead of time and talk to them about it. Especially in the case of migraines (I have frequent migraines, and I tend to go to work even with one, but sometimes it's pretty bad, at which point I just call up my boss(es) and ask them if I can work from home/etc.
Then again, I've worked with them for a long enough time that there's trust, both for when I say I have a "pretty bad" migraine, and in regards to working from home, even if I have to work in the evening to make up for my absence during normal work hours. That sort of thing.
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Calgary25981 Posts
There is no answer because the factors to consider are overwhelming. This is like asking "When should I ask my female friend out?"
Keep in mind my advice is general but probably tailored to someone working in an office / business setting, as opposed to labor, retail, sales or service. In order of importance, I would consider, among other things:
- What is my general standing at work with my boss / team?
- Can I work from home?
- How easily can I be permanently replaced?
- How easily can a temporary substitute be found to cover my work?
- How critical to my team's success is my work?
- How will me coming in sick affect my team?
- How sick am I?
- How busy is my team / department?
- How busy am I?
Notice how low all the "am I?" questions are. Because no one cares about you, they care about themselves. So, if you feel you are getting sick and work hard the night before to complete your work, thereby freeing up your boss' responsibilities, he is probably not going to care that you take a day off.
Again, sick days are built into your salary and you shouldn't feel scared to use them. However, they are not get out of jail free cards that absolve you or all responsibility. Taking a little responsibility for solving the problems can go a long way.
For example, if I'm feeling sick the day / night before I have called in / sent an email saying if you don't see my tomorrow I'm sick. It usually also references any critical work for that day or what my boss can expect from anything I am typically responsible for (phone calls and emails he can expect to get from outside sources, links to documents he might need, etc.). It's about taking care of your responsibilities as much as is reasonable.
If there's not enough time to send something like that, I'll usually come in anyways / work normal hours from home. I let my boss know I'm not feeling well, and take care of the day's critical stuff immediately. After a few hours if I still feel bad I'll let him know I'm going home / not working. Usually a logical boss will suggest you go home if you don't feel well.
That being said this isn't a common thing. I've taken 2 sick days in the last 3 years.
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Chill pretty much outlines everything, and that other thread was totally different, because he missed two non-consecutive days in the first month. Assuming that's a 5 day work week, it's 10% of the a very small sample size when he first started. I'd sure as shit fire someone if that was the case.
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If it's not made clear that you shouldn't show up if your ill, you should always be there.
unless you're dying.
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when ur sure u won't get fired...
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United States24701 Posts
The idea that you should go in despite being sick if you aren't well established is (probably) logical advice given the way the world works but also a terrible reflection of our priorities... having sick people come in just creates more sick people at work which reduces productivity. Obviously a slight case of the sniffles doesn't mean you can't come in, but if you have a fever over say 100 you honestly shouldn't be going in unless you are in a field where lives depend on your work... alas that's not how it works in the private sector.
When I get a bad cold (about once a year) I try to take off a day at the worst part of it... I'm not in a corporation and it works differently and I recognize that (my place of work offers unlimited sick time) but I think about what will happen if I go in sick... teaching while sick is basically a nightmare. You are dropping mucous all over your students and their work, you can't speak properly, and you're infecting clients (students) as well as other faculty. It's stupid to go in and MOST schools from what I've seen recognize this and encourage you not to come in if you are contagious.
If most of your work at your job is done without interacting with other people then it isn't as big of a deal I guess.
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On March 11 2010 05:17 Chill wrote:
There is no answer because the factors to consider are overwhelming. This is like asking "When should I ask my female friend out?"
Keep in mind my advice is general but probably tailored to someone working in an office / business setting, as opposed to labor, retail, sales or service. In order of importance, I would consider, among other things:
- What is my general standing at work with my boss / team?
- Can I work from home?
- How easily can I be permanently replaced?
- How easily can a temporary substitute be found to cover my work?
- How critical to my team's success is my work?
- How will me coming in sick affect my team?
- How sick am I?
- How busy is my team / department?
- How busy am I?
Notice how low all the "am I?" questions are. Because no one cares about you, they care about themselves. So, if you feel you are getting sick and work hard the night before to complete your work, thereby freeing up your boss' responsibilities, he is probably not going to care that you take a day off.
Again, sick days are built into your salary and you shouldn't feel scared to use them. However, they are not get out of jail free cards that absolve you or all responsibility. Taking a little responsibility for solving the problems can go a long way.
For example, if I'm feeling sick the day / night before I have called in / sent an email saying if you don't see my tomorrow I'm sick. It usually also references any critical work for that day or what my boss can expect from anything I am typically responsible for (phone calls and emails he can expect to get from outside sources, links to documents he might need, etc.). It's about taking care of your responsibilities as much as is reasonable.
If there's not enough time to send something like that, I'll usually come in anyways / work normal hours from home. I let my boss know I'm not feeling well, and take care of the day's critical stuff immediately. After a few hours if I still feel bad I'll let him know I'm going home / not working. Usually a logical boss will suggest you go home if you don't feel well.
That being said this isn't a common thing. I've taken 2 sick days in the last 3 years.
Are you insinuating that people care more about me attending work ill to finish any responsibilities I may have for work than they care about their own health. I've never met a person in my life that wanted to be sick. If people only care about themselves it stands to reason they DON'T want you there when you're sick. I'm sorry but there is nothing at my work or anyone's work that I value more than my health and if you do...you ought to rethink your priorities. That being said I ONLY call in when I'm actually sick and my employers know that. In the 4 years I've been working at this job I've probably missed 6-8 days of work but I was sick. Also if my coworkers aren't willing to pick up the slack for me when I'm ill they aren't people I want to work with because I know for a fact I'll pick up their slack when they are ill.
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I pretty much agree with Chill, and I'll only refuse to come in when I have more than a cold or are puking or something. Otherwise I'll call and let them know I'm not feeling well, but I'll still come in anyway and see if I feel better. This way if they easily have someone on hand and don't need me, then they can happily let me know, and it doesn't sound like I'm lazy and uncommitted to my work. If I go there and am feeling better I will work, and if I'm obviously not in shape to work then I'll go talk to my manager in person and discuss it.
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Really depends on the company, as people are saying. My company is run super lean and everyone is really dedicated and hard working. Somebody not showing up is potentially a huge blow to our day-to-day operations. My company stocks all kinds of medication, an amazingly huge selection of cough drops, even masks... we really are expected to work though all but the worst. Most people's sick days usually go to staying home with sick kids and then they work from home as best they can on those days.
I took my first sick day in two years last week because I had food poisoning and I was laying on the floor of my bathroom writing emails on my blackberry in between pukes.
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Calgary25981 Posts
On March 11 2010 07:00 iSiN wrote:Show nested quote +On March 11 2010 05:17 Chill wrote:
There is no answer because the factors to consider are overwhelming. This is like asking "When should I ask my female friend out?"
Keep in mind my advice is general but probably tailored to someone working in an office / business setting, as opposed to labor, retail, sales or service. In order of importance, I would consider, among other things:
- What is my general standing at work with my boss / team?
- Can I work from home?
- How easily can I be permanently replaced?
- How easily can a temporary substitute be found to cover my work?
- How critical to my team's success is my work?
- How will me coming in sick affect my team?
- How sick am I?
- How busy is my team / department?
- How busy am I?
Notice how low all the "am I?" questions are. Because no one cares about you, they care about themselves. So, if you feel you are getting sick and work hard the night before to complete your work, thereby freeing up your boss' responsibilities, he is probably not going to care that you take a day off.
Again, sick days are built into your salary and you shouldn't feel scared to use them. However, they are not get out of jail free cards that absolve you or all responsibility. Taking a little responsibility for solving the problems can go a long way.
For example, if I'm feeling sick the day / night before I have called in / sent an email saying if you don't see my tomorrow I'm sick. It usually also references any critical work for that day or what my boss can expect from anything I am typically responsible for (phone calls and emails he can expect to get from outside sources, links to documents he might need, etc.). It's about taking care of your responsibilities as much as is reasonable.
If there's not enough time to send something like that, I'll usually come in anyways / work normal hours from home. I let my boss know I'm not feeling well, and take care of the day's critical stuff immediately. After a few hours if I still feel bad I'll let him know I'm going home / not working. Usually a logical boss will suggest you go home if you don't feel well.
That being said this isn't a common thing. I've taken 2 sick days in the last 3 years. Are you insinuating that people care more about me attending work ill to finish any responsibilities I may have for work than they care about their own health. I've never met a person in my life that wanted to be sick. If people only care about themselves it stands to reason they DON'T want you there when you're sick. I'm sorry but there is nothing at my work or anyone's work that I value more than my health and if you do...you ought to rethink your priorities. That being said I ONLY call in when I'm actually sick and my employers know that. In the 4 years I've been working at this job I've probably missed 6-8 days of work but I was sick. Also if my coworkers aren't willing to pick up the slack for me when I'm ill they aren't people I want to work with because I know for a fact I'll pick up their slack when they are ill.
Simple risk/reward analysis shows the likelihood of getting sick is dominated by the likelihood of not getting sick and having to do your work.
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The logic of "i have responsibilities and a vital position in my company so i gonna come in even if im sick" coupled with the "if i dont come in ill I'll look lazy and they'll fire me" anxiety is a pretty twisted way of covering up the ugly truth of "There are plenty of people who can do my job as well and it just boils down to who is willing to accept the lowest standards, so I gotta buckle down". Honestly, if your responsibilities and capabilities in a job are that high, you can take off anytime you are slightly sick (given its in the range of the average person) cus you are just too valuable to fire over the odd off day.
Besides, it really is a pretty self disrespecting thing to do and it saddens me that even the more intelligent people of this day and age give up their real individual freedom and dignity for the illusion of it created by wealth.
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Calgary25981 Posts
On March 11 2010 07:29 damenmofa wrote:
Besides, it really is a pretty self disrespecting thing to do and it saddens me that even the more intelligent people of this day and age give up their real individual freedom and dignity for the illusion of it created by wealth.
What are you talking about? Take responsibility for your health and your job. They are both important. No one is advocating giving all up for the other.
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On March 11 2010 07:34 Chill wrote:Show nested quote +On March 11 2010 07:29 damenmofa wrote:
Besides, it really is a pretty self disrespecting thing to do and it saddens me that even the more intelligent people of this day and age give up their real individual freedom and dignity for the illusion of it created by wealth. What are you talking about? Take responsibility for your health and your job. They are both important. No one is advocating giving all up for the other.
Well comments along the lines of "unless your dying you should go" made me think so. Also weighing in factors like "how long have i been at this job?" definitely suggests prioritizing success over personal well-being.
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Calgary25981 Posts
On March 11 2010 07:38 damenmofa wrote:Show nested quote +On March 11 2010 07:34 Chill wrote:On March 11 2010 07:29 damenmofa wrote:
Besides, it really is a pretty self disrespecting thing to do and it saddens me that even the more intelligent people of this day and age give up their real individual freedom and dignity for the illusion of it created by wealth. What are you talking about? Take responsibility for your health and your job. They are both important. No one is advocating giving all up for the other. Well comments along the lines of "unless your dying you should go" made me think so. Also weighing in factors like "how long have i been at this job?" definitely suggests prioritizing success over personal well-being.
I think common sense and the ability to do the most basic form of cost/benefit analysis comes into play here. No one is going to die from a stomach ache.
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You don't want to spread the disease... come on now.
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On March 11 2010 07:29 damenmofa wrote:
The logic of "i have responsibilities and a vital position in my company so i gonna come in even if im sick" coupled with the "if i dont come in ill I'll look lazy and they'll fire me" anxiety is a pretty twisted way of covering up the ugly truth of "There are plenty of people who can do my job as well and it just boils down to who is willing to accept the lowest standards, so I gotta buckle down". Honestly, if your responsibilities and capabilities in a job are that high, you can take off anytime you are slightly sick (given its in the range of the average person) cus you are just too valuable to fire over the odd off day.
Besides, it really is a pretty self disrespecting thing to do and it saddens me that even the more intelligent people of this day and age give up their real individual freedom and dignity for the illusion of it created by wealth.
wow. well put man. i totally agree. when you are sick, your body is telling you something. you gotta take care of your body, its #1.
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I think if posters put their age and the years they've been a member of the full time work force, it would put a lot of perspective here, cuz I highly doubt anyone saying you should call out for a case of the sniffles has much experience.
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United States24701 Posts
IOn March 11 2010 23:52 Hawk wrote:
I think if posters put their age and the years they've been a member of the full time work force, it would put a lot of perspective here, cuz I highly doubt anyone saying you should call out for a case of the sniffles has much experience.
I don't think anyone has said that...
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There were posts in the original thread that contained those sentiments.
Either way, it would explain a lot in regards to the thoughts of the poster, even though each situation's obviously gonna be different. Like for instance, I know that the last week of the month, there would need to be a zombie apocalypse like I Am Legend to get a call out validated. The other three weeks, it depends on what I've done that week, what else I have coming up and if I can get a little bit done while chilling at home in bed.
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EPT
