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Why do people go to work when they're sick? I don't understand for the life of me, how someone thinks it's ok? If you don't feel well, your company (or money) i

Why do people go to work when they're sick? I don't understand for the life of me, how someone thinks it's ok? If you don't feel well, your company (or money) is not worth your life or the lives of others. Stay home ffs.

slg 6y ago
Some people aren't paid if they aren't working and can't afford not to work. US employees have no federally guaranteed paid sick days and that results in a culture that prioritizes showing up to work no matter what.
BurningFrog 6y ago
Fortunately, in this WFH era we can do both!
lm28469 6y ago
> Currently, there are no federal legal requirements for paid sick leave. https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/workhours/sickleave https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/workhours/sickleave
satysin 6y ago
Sometimes because they don't get sick pay (or it is reduced putting them in a [more] difficult financial position) or because for some disgusting reason people think they are "strong" and "hard working" for going into work when they are sick. I've worked with people who were proud of coming into work with a hacking cough and temperature. They would take their temperature at their desk and announce it as if they were doing something amazing. Even worse is when I've worked for managers who during your review compare you to those people saying things like you should make more effort to reduce your time off sick (even if under the average yearly sick days) or make more effort to come in when you're just feeling a "bit under the weather". It is a terrible attitude but it is extremely common the world over sadly.
cmurf 6y ago
One reason is short staffed nursing homes and hospitals. In North Dakota the governor just signed an executive order allowing Covid-positive healthcare workers to stay on job. Including nursing homes. Another reason: don't work, no income. U.S. has no federal sick leave law. Most states don't either.
kyleblarson 6y ago
In the startup ecosystem at least the blame lies with leaders who continually value 'hustle'. In other cases it is usually 'I don't get sick pay and I need to feed my kids'.
pjc50 6y ago
COVID can make you infectious but without symptoms. Which means that it's very likely that people can infect their workplaces before realising that they are even sick.
cloverich 6y ago
When your boss goes to work sick (as the CEO at my last two companies did), it signals its ok to the rest of the employees. Ignorance plays a large role as well. Commonly (IME), someone with a viral cold gets antibiotics and goes to work the next day thinking they are no longer contagious.

slg 6y ago

Some people aren't paid if they aren't working and can't afford not to work. US employees have no federally guaranteed paid sick days and that results in a culture that prioritizes showing up to work no matter what.

BurningFrog 6y ago

Fortunately, in this WFH era we can do both!

lm28469 6y ago

> Currently, there are no federal legal requirements for paid sick leave. https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/workhours/sickleave https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/workhours/sickleave

satysin 6y ago

Sometimes because they don't get sick pay (or it is reduced putting them in a [more] difficult financial position) or because for some disgusting reason people think they are "strong" and "hard working" for going into work when they are sick. I've worked with people who were proud of coming into work with a hacking cough and temperature. They would take their temperature at their desk and announce it as if they were doing something amazing. Even worse is when I've worked for managers who during your review compare you to those people saying things like you should make more effort to reduce your time off sick (even if under the average yearly sick days) or make more effort to come in when you're just feeling a "bit under the weather". It is a terrible attitude but it is extremely common the world over sadly.

cmurf 6y ago

One reason is short staffed nursing homes and hospitals. In North Dakota the governor just signed an executive order allowing Covid-positive healthcare workers to stay on job. Including nursing homes. Another reason: don't work, no income. U.S. has no federal sick leave law. Most states don't either.

kyleblarson 6y ago

In the startup ecosystem at least the blame lies with leaders who continually value 'hustle'. In other cases it is usually 'I don't get sick pay and I need to feed my kids'.

pjc50 6y ago

COVID can make you infectious but without symptoms. Which means that it's very likely that people can infect their workplaces before realising that they are even sick.

cloverich 6y ago

When your boss goes to work sick (as the CEO at my last two companies did), it signals its ok to the rest of the employees. Ignorance plays a large role as well. Commonly (IME), someone with a viral cold gets antibiotics and goes to work the next day thinking they are no longer contagious.