| --> | | | | 4. They think they have work that is so important that |
| A good bout with the 'flu can bring on such dark | | | | no one else can do it. This type of employee also |
| thoughts about life, as in I do wish people would stay | | | | tends to hoard vacation days, and eventually has to |
| home when they're sick. Then I wouldn't have caught | | | | be forced to take those. |
| this. For the very young, the elderly, or those with | | | | 5. They really do have work that is so important that |
| impaired immune systems, influenza is an extremely | | | | no one else can do it. A paramount example is the |
| serious illness that may lead to pneumonia and even | | | | payroll in a small to medium size company. If that lone |
| death. 'Flu shots can ward off the worst of influenza's | | | | bookkeeper or accountant doesn't come in to the |
| effects. However, even as a reasonably healthy | | | | office on specific days, none of the employees will |
| person, you can feel miserable for several days at | | | | receive their paychecks on time. And the ripples from |
| least, if you catch a different strain of the 'flu. A | | | | that can mean a crisis for many individuals. Even a |
| severe cold can also make you suffer just as much. | | | | poor soul undergoing chemo may feel obligated to |
| So why isn't everybody considerate enough to stay | | | | come in too soon, so that others don't suffer. |
| home when they're sick? In no particular order, here | | | | Employer, where is your substitute, your temp? |
| are seven reasons why people come into work | | | | 6. Top brass has scheduled a strategic meeting that's |
| anyway, when they're sick: | | | | too critical to miss. At least, you are absent at your |
| 1. Financial reasons - their employer doesn't provide | | | | own peril. In some cases, by not attending, you may |
| "sick days" with pay, or they've had a rough year, and | | | | find yourself out of a job. On the other hand, you may |
| have already used them up, dealing with doctor and | | | | return to find yourself gifted with a new project that |
| dental appointments, or the illnesses of family | | | | someone volunteered you for, in your absence. |
| members. | | | | 7. And then there's the bronchial executive, so full of |
| 2. They still have sick time left in their quota for the | | | | herself and her germs, that she spreads illness to all of |
| year, but their inhumane manager informs them they've | | | | her employees without discrimination. We can always |
| had too many medical absences already, and can't | | | | hope that higher management will notice, and tell her to |
| take any more time off. It makes the department look | | | | stay home before the company grinds to a standstill. |
| bad! | | | | Yet sometimes, the only solution for us is to look for |
| In both of the above cases, the only possible | | | | work elsewhere, before the next 'flu season starts |
| alternative is that they take vacation days. Some | | | | and we are knocked flat again by |
| people have those available to use; some do not. It | | | | she-who-can-do-no-wrong. |
| depends partly on the longevity of the employee, | | | | No employee enjoys being around sick coworkers, |
| relative to company policy. And in case you think the | | | | especially those who can and should stay home, once |
| second scenario doesn't happen, it does, and far too | | | | they've realized their allergies are really something else |
| often in businesses in the U.S.A. | | | | that is contagious this time. However, if we recognize |
| 3. They have a very heavy workload, which sits there, | | | | the reasons why they come into work anyway, we |
| waiting for them to come back. No one else knows | | | | can be more understanding--where it's justified--and |
| how to do the work, or no one else has time, because | | | | better prepared to handle them. This may include |
| their own pile of "have-to" projects is so heavy, in a | | | | taking in an aerosol can of disinfectant and using it in |
| typically understaffed company. | | | | our work area. Can you spell Hint? |