Afraid to call off

tanniew78
tanniew78 Posts: 602 Member
in Chit-Chat
So here is the deal, I have been down with this flu bug that has been going around. I was made to leave work early a couple days ago, and had the last couple days off, but Im still feeling pretty wretched. I have a monthly PTO balance of 14 hours I can use, but I know alot of people have been calling off and I already feel guilty. But I also work around the elderly and dont wish to get them sick.... I dont want to make the bosses upset because I called off either...

What is the best way to handle this? If so many people werent calling off lately I wouldnt mind so much I think...

Replies

  • tabfjo
    tabfjo Posts: 78 Member
    If you don't call of frequently your bosses will most likely understand that you are sick! And the healthy ones in your office will appreciate you not coming in sick and spreading the illness to them!
  • oregonzoo
    oregonzoo Posts: 4,251 Member
    Are you still sick? Could you get others sick?


    People understand when you are sick and call out. It's when people know you were dancing on bars and wearing lampshades as hats the previous night that they have problems.
  • Lisa1971
    Lisa1971 Posts: 3,069 Member
    Go in and puke on your boss's desk, then go home and go to bed!
  • needles85365
    needles85365 Posts: 491 Member
    you have earned your time off. Your being selfish if you go to work while having a contagious illness. Stop feeling guilty and focus on getting well and getting back to work.
  • EatClean_WashUrNuts
    EatClean_WashUrNuts Posts: 1,590 Member
    ROFLMAO. You are sick, with the flu, during an epidemic. It is people like you that I despise. Why must you come to work sick and elevate the germ-festation for those around you that not?

    When I ran my own business, I offered sick time. If an employee came into work sick, I fired them. Maybe you need to use that time.
  • tehzephyrsong
    tehzephyrsong Posts: 435 Member
    First of all: you *should* call in and stay home. You're ill and need to rest so you can get better. But, unfortunately, you're stuck in a productivity-obsessed system that discourages the use of sick days.

    If you just absolutely can't bring yourself to use your PTO for this, get some face masks (try a CVS/Walgreens/that sort of place), a sh*tload of tissues, and a liter of hand sanitizer.
  • dynasty80610
    dynasty80610 Posts: 2 Member
    I understand the feeling and guilt. But if you are legitimately sick, then you shouldn't worry about it. They WILL understand and probably appreciate you not getting them sick, so no reason to be hard on yourself. Take care of your self and eat plenty of immune boosting foods, and you'll be back at it soon! Get well
  • leopardjunkie
    leopardjunkie Posts: 149
    this is tough more people should be staying home :) even when they are feeling better,but it does not happen. Some companies require that if you are gone for so many days you have to see a dr . So it is partly your companies policy, your financial situation and then you have to consider if you are sick you are not doing your body any favors by pushing it, but you have to pay the bills in a rough enconomy. Plus if you go in out of obligation to help out and you are sick, you are kinda fueling the problem cause then others are going to get sick and hence more people out sick understaffed etc.

    then there is the fact that you are passing it onto others before you get sick while you are sick and potentially 7 days after your fever breaks :) and working with others and kids bumps it up a bit in risk towards others.

    all that said ha ha I don"t have an answer for you. except maybe cal your boss, tell them you are still guineally sick, and do not want to put them in a place of inconvience either way and are wondering what the policy or expecation is :) maybe you pull a 1/2 day with mask and gloves just to help uot and still get rest??
  • rockangel8907
    rockangel8907 Posts: 429 Member
    Don't go in, it will take you longer to get better if you go in, not to mention you run the risk of infecting others. And you work with the elderly? The flu can become fatal so quickly with the elderly.

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