Ever wondered why your coughing colleague chose to show up at work instead of resting at home? Unravel the complex reasons behind this seemingly irrational behavior, as we delve into the psychology and societal pressures influencing such decisions.
How to tell your boss you need time off to recover
Shifting work culture is to blame for creating a stigma around taking time off
- Studies show that mistrust and fear of judgment from bosses have forced an increasing number of employees to come to work when sick
- Medical professionals agree that staying at home during the early stages of the flu – the first two days after catching the virus when the risk of contagion is at its highest – is essential for the health of both the affected workers and their colleagues
Finding the balance
A good boss should be empathetic and understand
- This means staying home and truly offline when you’re feeling too sick to work, so that your team knows it’s okay to do the same when they aren’t feeling well.
- Avoid contacting employees who are at home sick unless it’s for something truly urgent
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Presenteeism
This practice is referred to as ‘presenteeism’: people coming into work when they are ill.
- It has more than tripled over the last decade, according to the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD).
- Of over 1,000 participants in its 2018 study, 86% claimed to have witnessed instances of presenteeism in their organization during the previous year.
A policy of honesty
Lead by example by creating a culture where employees feel empowered to take time off
- Establishing a line of communication with a boss at the onset of sickness can both convey respect and allow them more time to plan around the absence
- Being honest is the best way to avoid misunderstanding or resentment
