I hate that you're seen as a 'trooper" if u come in sick at work. Whats with that mentality?

Question

Its winter here at the moment and Im sick with the flu. I just hate it that there's an "unspoken expectation" here in my office to come in to work sick. I always hear people at work going, "oh im sick". Im thinking go home stop spreading it.

My boss emailed me back after I emailed her i was sick. She goes "hope to see you bright eyed on monday". Or u can take it another way as if shes saying "get ur *** back in by monday ok?"

I can understand when ppl come in sick if their work is understaffed or theres no one else to cover them. But instead of calling those other ppl who are able to take sick days but still come in to work sick "troopers" they should call them "selfish idiots infecting everybody".

Anyone else agree?

Answer 1

perhaps you should tell your boss to leave you alone or you will report them for harassment

Answer 2

I'm a nurse and my job could care less if you were dying. They expect you to come in and take care of sick people, but forget the fact you need to be home taking care of yourself. I hate standing or being near co-workers that are sweating, coughing and looking like they are one foot from the grave. It's only a matter of time and the rest of the staff is is sick too. Don't be a hero people...stay the heck home when you're sick...believe it or not the world will keep revolving and the work will get done somehow.

Answer 3

I agree with bells on.  

Answer 4

You are absolutely right.. It is so sad that we as people can't even be sick when we are sick for fear of prosicution by or peers and managment. And then when everyone catches what we have they look at us with the same disgust ! And for some people it is really worse than others.. like single parents.. who getting sick or their child getting sick (with no back up can lead to a lot of lost time)

So .. I agree. But how to change?

Try really making it a point to be around your boss as much as possible ..

I hope your feeling better soon.

Answer 5

As a once boss, unfortuately the abuse of the sickness system is so apparent it really spoils it for others who are truely sick.  I run a public service and if I lost an employee it affected a lot of other people, mainly the public.  It is so easy to say, I don't feel well when you get up late and will be late for work.  Why don't you say I'm late I'll get in as soon as I can.  We had a system that if you did'nt telephone in by one hour before you was due, you were not sick but absent.  This could lead to your discharge or loss of sickness pay.  It was quite strange everybody felt better.

Answer 6

don't be bullied.  If you are not well then take time off

Answer 7

Yes Walden.  I hate this type of mentality which usually comes from workaholics who don't have a life.  Just like in school and” perfect attendance".  Kids who go from kinder thru 12th grade without missing a day in my opinion should be punished for coming to school sick and contaminating the rest of the kids and staff.

Answer 8

going into work sick is as stupid as liposuction machine in Ethiopia.You being sick can infect others to be just as sick or worse than you are,and for what ,an atta boy and no sick days used on your work record.Just remeber this, all those atta boys and a buck fifty get you a cup of coffee,no more.

Answer 9

I came in and wss sick all over the desk of my boss. a nasty sticky mess.   and I am obviously a hero now!

Answer 10

Hi there.

I do agree, yes. Sends me crackers, infecting everybody, doing substandard work and creating wrong expectations.

It is still important to not throw work for slight reasons, it can be a habit if you are not careful - so save up beinbg sick for when you really are. One guy I worked with missed so many Mondays we were shocked if he turned up!

You do need to be seen as somebody who puts the effort in and cares, so the rest don't feel you are burden. I kniow it is bad pressure, but that is the way things are.

Cheers, Steve.