Listen up sickies! · 3 January 07
There are a lot of sick people at work these last few days and I just want to share some info with all you sickies:
Presenteeism (the act of showing up at work or school, even though you probably should be at home getting over whatever it is that ails you) costs the American economy up to $150 billion US a year, as ill workers perform well below their usual levels while they pass on their ailments to their co-workers.
Respiratory infections (such as colds and flu) are responsible for 21% of the presenteeism costs, not including the added costs of potentially infecting others.
Being on the job but not functioning to the best of your ability can cut your productivity by a third or more – and can actually cost an employer much more than absenteeism.
So, what symptoms should keep you at home?
- Fever of any kind
- Achy joints
- Persistent cough accompanied by green mucus buildup and a runny nose
- Severe sore throat
- Vomiting
- Eyes are bright red and have a discharge
What symptoms are normally OK to go to work with?
- Sniffling but no fever
- Throat tickles or postnasal drip
- Ear aches
- Sinus infection
- Dry cough with little or no mucus
Oh yeah! Contrary to common belief, stomach and intestinal complaints are not a feature of the flu. The flu is a respiratory illness and the lungs are the major site of symptoms. If you are nauseated and vomiting, it’s far more likely you have food poisoning or gastroenteritis. As for the term “stomach flu,” well… there’s no such thing.
79% of Canadians surveyed reported going to work sick at some point in the past year… don’t be one of them.
[ File under: Health & Irritants ]
Here here, I whole-heartedly concur. So who’s going to do my payroll?
— Sally67 5 January, 11:44 am