My work is pressuring me to come in when I'm sick, please advise me

[DogLady]

I'm a nursing student in Canada, I have a job as a home care HCA this Summer for a private company. I have one main client I care for a few days per week and a second I care for once weekly. I developed a cough, sore throat, and runny nose 2 days ago. Following my province's public health rules I called my work to say I could not come in, and I would get tested for COVID asap. I got tested yesterday, the results should be back within the next few days.

I think I did the right thing. I hate calling in sick and I never do it. I've only been caring for my clients for 3 weeks but I feel responsible for them. I feel like I'm abandoning them.

What makes things worse is my company gave me a lot of attitude when I called them initially. They have kept me on the work schedule. I got a text today asking how I was doing, (I am totally fine - I think I have a cold) and then asking if I could come in tomorrow since I'm feeling fine.

I'm legally required to self-quarantine until I get a negative test result. I know my clients may not get their usual level of care but I am trying to keep them safe! They would likely die if they contracted COVID.

I'm just looking for reassurance that I'm doing the right thing. It seems like my company does not have any back-up caregivers for situations like this. I'm being made to feel terrible for calling in sick. This job is making me feel like home care is the wild west - I had to buy my own masks and gloves until I was finally provided with masks. Any thoughts and advice for the babiest of baby nurses would be much appreciated.

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

You are following rules set up by Public Health. Inform your employer that once you have your results and if they are negative you will be resuming work but until then you are self isolating

[lifelearningrn, BSN, RN]

On 5/8/2020 at 6:32 PM, NunNurseCat said:

My advice? Go to work if you need the job.

I couldn't disagree with this advice more. She stated she's legally obligated to self-quarantine until her test comes back. There no wiggle room there. We know that many have very mild illnesses.

Stay home until you're cleared by your MD.

[BlessYourHeartt]

You are doing the right thing. Hope you feel better soon. I'll be very honest: jobs like yours are typically easy to get, so I wouldn't worry about getting fired but would focus on protecting yourself and your vulnerable patients. Your employer has quite the nerve to expect employees to furnish their own PPE and to work sick. In fact, if they pressure you to do something that goes against public health and/or your MD advice in your community, I would report them.

[NunNurseCat]

23 hours ago, lifelearningrn said:

I couldn't disagree with this advice more. She stated she's legally obligated to self-quarantine until her test comes back. There no wiggle room there. We know that many have very mild illnesses.

Stay home until you're cleared by your MD.

I followed up my comment with another for the OP to consider that I live in Florida. That is how things are here. I'm glad those Canadian workers with protections can do what is right. I do wish [lifelearning] that you read my follow up post rather than conveniently filtering it out.

In the past I endured serious financial hardship and stress when I took a stand, didn't go in sick a second day in a row, and was terminated. Furthermore I did not qualify for unemployment because the employer countered that I was warned that I may be terminated if I did not come in.

While enduring said hardship I thought to myself, "Gee, wasn't that nice to make a stand?"

Furthermore I had to explain why I lost that job to potential employers in interviews , it did't help sell me. Nurse managers don't want a revolutionary and a friend of mine who was a manager back then said it's a red flag to them because the interviewing managers don't know, truly, what happened... only what I say happened.

Are you getting the picture yet guys? A bit clearer I hope because I lived it and, really, it was terrible! We live in some strange times, I know, but it's been this way for a while as far as this topic goes (here, in my state of Florida).

So, Canadians and those living in lands that make sense: don't go to work sick.

For those of us living in places where we can actually lose our jobs (yes despite corporate policies saying don't come in sick!): you'd better go over your bills and obligations first, and make dang good and sure you can afford to be out of work because you may pay a serious price for taking a stand.