It’s sick season, and people are still coming to work
As it turns out, four out of five American workers are not willing to stay home from work when they’re sick. But, most Americans would also prefer that their sick co-workers stay home when they’re ill. What gives?
It’s officially flu season – and cold season and the season for other sicknesses. Fall and winter months put many people under the weather, and when people come to work while sick, they are likely to make more people sick.
A recent study surveyed 2,000 U.S. adults – 1,930 of whom held jobs – about sickness in the workplace and dealing with sick co-workers.
The results showed that most people, some 78 percent, reported “feeling pressure to power through the workday when they’re feeling under the weather.” But ironically, 82 percent said they would be annoyed if a co-worker showed up with a cough. And 41 percent say they would rather take on the extra workload temporarily than have a co-worker come to work sick.
However, people are worried it would be frowned upon – by bosses or co-workers – for them to miss work, and most people don’t think being sick is seen as a valid reason to miss work.
So, help your workplace approach this season of sickness wisely. Lessen the number of sick employees and missed workdays by scheduling on-site flu shots. Contact Jennifer Carmack, OCCMed Director, at 731-984-8400 or jennifer@physiciansqualitycare.com. Employees can also get their shots at our Jackson and Milan clinics.
Source: Occupational Health and Safety
