Hey, Dr. Tom –
It seems like the flu is coming back to the office. What can I do?
Wants All to Stay Healthy
Dear Wash,
Yes, this is a troubling trend. In this economy people will continue to work since they think they will be fired for taking a sick day or two. They say things like, “got the plague” or “got the crud” and then they go home anyway. Why are you dragging your sorry ass into the office to spread it around? Stay home! Lastly, whenever I hear people say they are “not contagious” despite hacking up a lung on the carpet, I cry BS. Do they say this to try to convince themselves?
My advice to you apart from eating well and getting plenty of rest is to get angry at the sick people in your office. “The work will survive your absence!” The more agro and over-the-top you get the better. Never underestimate the power of public humiliation.
Stay well,
Dr. Tom
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I think people come to work when they're extremely sick (or simply hacking up a lung) because they are, in fact, convinced that the office will fall apart at one day's absence.
ReplyDeleteI also think it makes someone feel important to work through their sickness, even if they're spreading it to everyone else and their mom by doing so. "Hey buddy, I'm important enough to this company that I NEVER take a sick day."
In short, my theory is it's all about ego.