At what point should you call in sick when you have a cold?

[buck]

Ok, say you work in a office environment where you have contact with multiple (50-60) people. You have a cold where your throat hurts, coughing, green mucous in the morning, and feeling about %35.

I don't want to get my coworkers sick, but I really hate calling in sick. I would rather save those days for vacation and having fun. However, where does one draw the line? At what point do you call in sick when it comes to a cold (since its that time of year).

Discuss.

 

[Commish]

Keep your damn germs at home.

 

[Queasy]

If it is just a little sniffling and sneezing, go in. If you're spraying green mucus everywhere, stay home.

 

[Crono]

Originally posted by: Queasy
If it is just a little sniffling and sneezing, go in. If you're spraying green mucus everywhere, stay home.

QFT. Coughs producing phlegm is the line. If you've crossed that line, call in sick and stay home until you are no longer producing phlegm. I had the same thing last week. Cold-Eeze (sp?), which is over the counter, really helps. So does drinking only warm/hot beverages (I particularly like green and white teas or black tea with honey) and reducing exposure to cold air. Use a humidifier or steam shower to loosen any mucus in your body.

 

[irishScott]

No one (including your boss) wants whatever you have. Like Crono and Queasy said, mucus is the border.

 

[SuperjetMatt]

I take it your sick time and vacation time are lumped together into one category.

 

[dainthomas]

We had a guy in here who was hacking everywhere and couldn't even talk, but he wouldn't leave no matter what we said. I wanted to punch him in the face except I would have gotten infected. The boss finally told him to GTFO.

I understand being dedicated or whatever, but I have a one year old with asthma and I don't need to be exposed to some idiot spewing plague or tuberculosis or god knows what. :|

 

[GoatMonkey]

Green or yellow mucus is a sign of a sinus infection. You'll probably need antibiotics. Go to the doctor.

That's the problem with grouped together vacation and sick time. It encourages people to go to work when sick, and gets everyone else sick. Which ends up being a big loss for the company. Really stupid policy.

 

[vi edit]

Sadly, you probably already have infected people (if it was going to happen). Depending on the bug you could spread it a day or two before you even realize you are sick.

At this point, you'd just be more of a nuisance to your coworkers and a less productive worker due to your symptoms. Stay home and rest up to get rid of it.

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: irishScott
No one (including your boss) wants whatever you have. Like Crono and Queasy said, mucus is the border.

too bad they want to make you use your vacation time for calling in sick though.

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: buck
Ok, say you work in a office environment where you have contact with multiple (50-60) people. You have a cold where your throat hurts, coughing, green mucous in the morning, and feeling about %35.

I don't want to get my coworkers sick, but I really hate calling in sick. I would rather save those days for vacation and having fun. However, where does one draw the line? At what point do you call in sick when it comes to a cold (since its that time of year).

Discuss.

Go to work, get everyone else sick, you show up everyday so you can get the attendance badge of honour. Wait, you said work and not elementary school... Stay home!

 

[buck]

Yea, common sense kicked in. I have an appointment for the doc today at 3:30. I figure I will just interact with the assholes (not the cool people) here and then call it a day.
I dunno why i feel so guilty for going home(calling in) sick.

My sick days can be used as vacation days, so thats why i count them as such. Really I can use any of my paid hours for whatever.

 

[gamepad]

Not unless there is bleeding...

 

[OdiN]

I go in unless I'm in the ER. But that never happens. I rarely get sick, and if I do, staying home and lounging all day is the worst thing to do. Just keep going and keep moving and let your body burn it off.

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: Commish
Keep your damn germs at home.

I think you're contagious before you start to show any symptoms. By that time, the gift has already been given.

 

[oogabooga]

Originally posted by: Jeff7

Originally posted by: Commish
Keep your damn germs at home.

I think you're contagious before you start to show any symptoms. By that time, the gift has already been given.

God bless them generous germs. The buggers who give and give and give, and what do they ask for in return? nothing but to live peacefully wrecking havoc in your body. That is all.

 

[5to1baby1in5]

Go in anyway. Your co-workers need to be infected so they can help fight off the invading Martian fleet.

 

[Tiamat]

If you have a sore throat, stay home.
If you cough up colored mucous, stay home.
If you cough/sneeze more often than once per 5 minutes, stay home.

 

[DrPizza]

You already infected them before you reached the phlegm stage. Don't forget: many symptoms of illness aren't caused by the pathogen; the symptoms are caused by your body finally gathering up the cavalry and fighting back. Of course, it depends on the specific illness, but suck it up and get back to work, you whining little sniffly headed slackers. Bring in a box of kleenex and keep the waste basket handy.

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: GoatMonkey
Green or yellow mucus is a sign of a sinus infection. You'll probably need antibiotics. Go to the doctor.

That's the problem with grouped together vacation and sick time. It encourages people to go to work when sick, and gets everyone else sick. Which ends up being a big loss for the company. Really stupid policy.

I've never gotten (nor needed) antibiotices for green/yellow mucus. WTF?