When coming to work costs your employer money
Posted by breadwinner on February 23rd, 2009We shouldn’t really have to tell you this, but if you are sick, even if you are not contagious, take a sick day. That’s why they are called “sick days.” It’s a day. When you stay home. Because you are sick. Yup.
If you are one of those snot-nosed employees who comes to work, germs and all, you might — despite your DayQuil-clouded vision — notice your coworkers are keeping their distance. Do not be insulted. It’s not personal. Because it’s not you, it’s your orthomyxoviridae. And don’t even get me started on the merits of getting the flu shot. Man up already people!
Sorry, but I won't bring you tea if you bring your germs to work.
According to Forbes.com, someone’s managed to figure out exactly how much the average sickie costs the average company when they show up to work with the average cold. In fact, it costs companies $180 billion annually for presenteeism (yeah like that’s a word), versus the $118 billion it costs for absenteeism. All this according to a 2007 study by the Society for Human Resources Management. Sick employees suck at their own jobs more than usual while hacking about and feeling feverish, plus they spread the nastiness along to co-workers who do the same until the whole office looks less like an place-of-work and more like a containment zone for the Ebola virus.
Where's his laptop?
And I don’t know about you, but in this economy, while it’s definitely still a good idea to work hard, I’m thinking it’s also a good idea to not be more expensive to your employer than you already are. Makes sense. In addition, staying home will most likely shorten the total length of time you are sick. So everybody wins.
Bottom line? If you are sick, go home. Get better. Even work from home if you’re a workaholic who thinks the world will crumble without your contribution to it. Whatever. Just stay away from the rest of us who are still healthy. And in return we promise to do the same for you.
In fact, while writing this I heard someone sneeze like four times. What a dick.
Tags: forbes, ITE, orthomyxoviridae, preseneeism, sick, work
I took one today. I don’t have Ebola, though. And I think I will probably be in tomorrow.
great post. had this discussion today w/ a coworker.