Before the pandemic I had an officemate that didn't take sick days when he was clearly sick, it would be January in the Northeast and he'd say it was just aller

Before the pandemic I had an officemate that didn't take sick days when he was clearly sick, it would be January in the Northeast and he'd say it was just allergies. Then the next week I was sick with the flu and TICK'd! I think it is now far less acceptable to show up sick to work and infect your coworkers. In terms of mental health days, I worked at one place for a long time and had enough vacation days that I could use one as a mental health day. Then I changed jobs and the new place gave so few vacation days that when I thought about a long weekend to visit family I'd have to wonder whether that family member was worth spending the precious vacation day on. If the company vacation plan is sufficient then you don't need to use a sick day for a mental health day.