Is it realistic to expect employees to work when they are sick? - Comparably | Comparably

Is it realistic to expect employees to work when they are sick?

Office Culture

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23 Answers

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    Absolutely not. It causes sickness to spread amongst employees. if not infectious, they at least should rest

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    It depends on the person. Some people want to work from home while sick.

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    Yes, if hourly. No, when salary.

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    Depends on the job and the illness

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    Employees who are sick may be able to work from home depending on their degree of illness. That should be at the employees discretion.

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    Not in an office setting.

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    If they're sick and aren't feeling well I think they should stay home. It would be better than passing germs around the workplace and then on to the other families. Even a simple cold is no fun to have, especially when you're trying to work.

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    Absolutely NOT, especially if what they're suffering from is contagious. A sick employee should stay home, take care of themselves, and not think about work.

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    Depends on the field of work. If they work with the public then I feel like they should stay home so they don’t get other people sick. Otherwise if they can still complete the job then have them come in.

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    In most cases the answer would be no. Colds and flus are highly contagious and will take a whole team down quickly. In this sense it is actually irresponsible to go to work. You are contagious until the fever passes or you have been on antibiotics for at least 24 hrs. The best solution is to work online from home.

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    It didn’t used to be. After 2008, employers expect anything workers can be coerced into. Work when you’re sick, get everyone else sick, they’ll work sick too. Doctors office? That’s on your time or lose PTO.

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    No, this is a illusion. Never will have a 100% of performance. Is better to give time for a real recover of his/her health.

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    No. Employers say they want sick employees to stay at home so not to spread illness to other employees. However employers don’t offer enough paid sick time to cover the number of realistic sick days per year. One bout of flu can exhaust a significant amount, if not all, of an employee’s paid sick time. What happens when paid sick time is exhausted & the employee gets sick again months later? Many employers who allow work from home will not allow an employee to work from home when sick requiring an unpaid sick day if staying home. Many employees don’t have a work from home option because their jobs can’t be performed from home. Once paid sick time is exhausted the employee must take unpaid time off if they stay at home. In most cases when paid unpaid sick time is taken it is considered an absent occurrence & subject to disciplinary action and/or leading to a reduction in performance rating. So if an employee wants to get paid & not be absent they will go to work sick.

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    Not at all. When an employee is allowed the chance to tune out and turn off while sick and not have to feel pressured to work or frown upon for being absent due to illnesses, they are able to recuperate, feel refreshed, energized and ready to return to office and be a positive contributor to the organization. If they are forced to work while sick, the employee begins to build resentment and animosity, left feeling unappreciated and undervalued.

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    Realistic no, in reality there are companies that feel if you can go to the doctor you can come to work.

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    No. If an employee is sick, they shouldn't have to load themselves up with pharmaceuticals to function. They should be given the time to let their bodies recuperate and the option to work the hours they can from home if the job allows.

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    it depends on how sick you are...in most cases...yes. you should go to work. a job is a privilege not a right

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    No! It should be illegal (and is in most if not all of Northern Europe).

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    No. Rest. Get well and please...don't come into the office and perhaps make others sick.

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    No. If you are sick you are not as productive and you will be spreading germs. Unfortunately in most workplaces now you are expected to work while you are sick.

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    It shouldn't be expected, but should be encouraged to work from home if able and willing.

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    No it is not realistic to expect employees to work when they are sick. This is because the employee is not going to produce the same work ethic due to what ever sickness they may have.

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    In the office, no. But could they answer emails at home to keep work flowing, yes. I would leave it up to the discretion of the employee.