Discourage ill people from still going to work

Many of us still soldier on when we are a bit under the weather. That needs a dramatic culture shift, whereby it's no longer seen as being tough or consciousness. Instead, it's seen as selfish and reckless. Politicians can reinforce this message, but employers need to support it (including through a more compassionate approach to absence management). And colleagues need to shift their attitudes from thinking "someone is being helpful by making it in to work and not let the side down".... To thinking "they are potentially endangering us all". Some gentle peer pressure from fellow commuters of the person coughing and sneezing next to us could also help.

Why the contribution is important

It will help limit the spread of the virus, especially as many carriers appear to have quute mild symptoms. It may also limit the spread of other illnesses. We can ALL do it and the cost to businesses is really modest.

by Mgibson1978 on May 05, 2020 at 01:44PM

Current Rating

Average rating: 4.7
Based on: 18 votes

Comments

  • Posted by Escocia May 05, 2020 at 13:53

    I think that is true in all cases anyway.

  • Posted by Julie May 05, 2020 at 14:08

    I agree that the current attitude of draconian sickness absence policies will have to change while the virus is still an issue. Unfortunately unemployment is likely to be at an all time high so without government intervention employers will if anything push this harder as staff can be very easily replaced.

  • Posted by CeeMcCee May 05, 2020 at 14:12

    This needs to be strongly encouraged as current methods of monitoring absence makes people fearful of being off. We also need to apply common sense as a single day off counts as a period of absence the same as say three weeks? This is discouraging people from returning say to lighter duties to see how they cope but if they go off even for a continuation of the same illness this then counts as two absence periods The one size fits all simply does not work

  • Posted by Mandy10 May 06, 2020 at 21:25

    Employers need to support workers by making it clear that it is ok NOT to come into work if you are unwell. Sickness and absence policies put a lot of pressure on people to go in when often they are ill but afraid of the consequences of staying off. I agree that there needs to be a drastic change in policy and employer attitude for this to happen.

  • Posted by Christina May 09, 2020 at 19:16

    Totally agree. When I was working I always felt extremy guilty when calling in sick and never felt fully supported in that decision. Employers, managers, supervisors need to show support so the employee doesn't feel like a burden for being ill and thinking they should come in and power through with some paracetamol.
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