There is something that drives me crazy from September through about February.
What is it?
People who go into work when they are sick. When they are coughing and sneezing all over the place and sound awful. When they are constantly blowing their nose every five minutes and there is some invisible aura emminating from them screaming for you to run away.
First of all, how productive are you really going to be at work in that condition? Second, you'll probably feel better faster if you just stay home and rest. And thirdly, isn't it just polite to stay home so you don't gross out everyone around you and then make them sick too?
In my field it is extremely easy to work from home. Where I work there is almost never a scenario in which there is something so crucial that it can't wait a day or two or there isn't someone else that can handle it for you if you can't come in or work. I suppose I am mostly talking about other people in a similar situation to me. If there is something crucial or you can't work from home, then that may be a different case.
My boyfriend doesn't seem to worry about this stuff at all. He thinks I waaay overreact. We get home from work and as soon as the door is shut behind us I'm asking him, "did you wash your hands yet?!" He usually gives me a look and rolls his eyes and then humors me and washes his hands.
I realize this pet peeve is a bit irrational. A bit over the top and extreme. It probably bothers me more than most people and I worry a bit too much. I realize I am a bit of a germaphobe. I should probably cut people some more slack on this particular issue. Doesn't everyone have their own little quirks and irriational fears and pet peeves, though? What are some of yours, and do you agree or disagree with me on this one?
Completely agree with you here. In Singapore they come into work but they wear one of these N95 masks that is supposed to block some, keyword is some, and they are under the impression that its ok.
If you are sick stay at home!! The work will wait!! I guess perhaps in this economy people are worried that they will lose their jobs if they fall sick.
Who knows, I just stay home when I fall sick.
I completely agree that people should stay home, unfortunately I have a job that it is really hard to work from home. I do go to work when I am not feeling well. BUT not when I am coughing hard or can't talk.
You see we have a small staff and I have things that need to get out that day (always). I do wear a mask and try to stay away from most people, but if I am feeling just under the weather I still come in. My boss is a doctor so she knows when to send us home and when to keep us.
Don't hate me!
I have way too many quirks to list here, so I'll chime in on yours. I AM A GERMOPHOBE! Totally.
And recently I had to get on a crowded commuter train for jury duty when I was sick. It was torture. I'm usually the one giving OTHER coughing people the stink-eye, but now I was the recipient. But I had to go! Apparently a cold does NOT get you out of jury duty. So, I infected everyone on the train and in the jury room (because of course I was chosen.)
But for most work situations? Yeah. Stay home. No one wants your stinkin' GERMS!
Hi. I've been enjoying your blog for a few weeks now -- thought I'd de-lurk and comment.
I have to agree with you on this one. It's just common courtesy to stay home when you're sick and contagious -- but, I know some people feel pressure not to take sick days -- so if I'm looking for someone to blame, I usually look to upper-management.
I'm not a germaphobe in the slightest. In fact, I laugh in the face of all germs (b/c I almost never get sick). Yet, I still hate when people come to work sick, mainly because I know it's not going to help them get better AND they're going to get other people sick. I blame the current work atmosphere that forces people to feel bad about getting sick, something that is completely beyond their control. I think when you're sick, you should be able to stay home, period. Not work from home, stay home and rest. Eat soup, sleep, watch crappy daytime TV, whatever. Anything less seems unfair.
I agree with you 100%. Unfortunately some companies have terrible sick time policy's that force employees to come into work sick or go home for the day without pay. It's a no win situation. In situations like this there should be some sort of back of policy or some set up to keep you away from your co-workers. I agree with Wil. Upper Management to blame for sure.
All of you are awesome. And made me feel a bit better.
Majimo: I wanted to wear one of those masks on Monday! I did hear they don't necessarily all that affective, as you said, but I wanted to feel like I was doing SOMETHING to protect myself.
Danielle: It does sound like you have pretty different circumstances than me in terms of job and work environment. And, it sounds like you stay home when you are more than just a little under the weather. You wear a mask too, which is good.
JD: Glad I'm not the only germaphobe! Sorry you were recently sick :( Seems impossible to avoid lately, at least around here.
wil: So glad you de-lurked! I probably would never have found your blog if you didn't :) I agree that a major factor is the pressure from upper-management. I would probably feel guilty myself, but not nearly as much if I can still get my work done from home (sometimes I'm even more productive that way!)
Candice: Right on! If I have more than just a cold (like if I have a fever) then that is exactly what I do. And I think it helps a lot.
christina: I agree. I am sure that is very true at a lot of companies. It is quite sad, really. At my place of employment, however, they recently sent out a notice saying we should stay home and they were not going to require a doctor's note for an absense more that 2 days (which they usually do). So they actually very kindly tried to ease the pressure.