Why do people insist on coming to work sick?

Nurses Relations

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I just started a new job two weeks ago. Last week the nurse I share an office with, a very small, hot office, came to work on Wednesday with diarrhea and vomiting and stayed half the day, then was out the next day and returned Friday. Needless to say I got sick last night and was up all night. I absolutely hated having to call in, especially since I am new, but I'm not one to risk others getting sick. I have a suppressed immune system due to some health issues, so I tend to catch whatever bug is going around.

This is just a pet peeve of mine. What good does it do anybody for a co-worker to come in sick and spread it around?

Guess I'm just feeling bummed out for having to call out. It's been eating at me all day. Just wanted to vent. Thank you for "listening."

Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Yeah, the last time I had a stomach virus with severe vomiting someone else called in due to partying too late the night before. Management wanted to give me grief for calling in. I hung up on them. Call THAT person and give them grief. If you know you have to work the next day behave accordingly. Good grief.

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Specializes in Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgical.

2nd generation nurse here, so you can imagine my definition of `sick` is I only call off when on death`s doorstep. The last time I did, I vomited so forcefully my diaphragm and ab muscles hurt for a week after.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

Here's another reason:

Some of us are salaried and/or have no one cover for us when we call out sick. When we call out sick, the work sits on our desks and doesn't get done. Then when we come back to work, we have to work extra hours to "catch up" with that work. It's a lot easier (and financially sensible) to come in and at least get half of work done if I can than to stay home a day and then have to work extra hours for free to get the work done over the next couple of days.

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Specializes in Post Anesthesia.

Great- because of your work ethic- I'm going to be off sick for 2-3 weeks. If we are working as a team, I'm bound to catch whatever you are suffering from. I, of course will share it with my children and spouse, who will need to be off from school/work. Since they already have this bug and I'm a the nurse, I get to take care of them for no paycheck whether I'm sick or not. If I get back to work soon enough I can participate in the short staffing as 2,3,4 team members who, without your "work ethic" call off. Now, instead instead of just one person off ill, the whole floor is thrown into termoil. This is in addition to any patients who are trusting us to help them back to health. Problem is, they didn't have a choice of calling off ill-they are trapped and can only pray thay don't catch this virus. Wait, they were sick to begin with- there is a good chance it will KILL some of them before they have a chance to spread it to thier family and loved ones. At least with a few less patients, the short staffing isn't so bad. I have a slightly different work ethic.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Yep, you sure do. If this was intended to make me feel bad, it doesn't. Direct your anger where it belongs - at the policies that compel those who are on the fence about staying home to come in for fear of retribution. You aren't the only one with a family to care for.

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Specializes in Med/surg, Quality & Risk.
Great- because of your work ethic- I'm going to be off sick for 2-3 weeks. If we are working as a team, I'm bound to catch whatever you are suffering from. I, of course will share it with my children and spouse, who will need to be off from school/work. Since they already have this bug and I'm a the nurse, I get to take care of them for no paycheck whether I'm sick or not. If I get back to work soon enough I can participate in the short staffing as 2,3,4 team members who, without your "work ethic" call off. Now, instead instead of just one person off ill, the whole floor is thrown into termoil. This is in addition to any patients who are trusting us to help them back to health. Problem is, they didn't have a choice of calling off ill-they are trapped and can only pray thay don't catch this virus. Wait, they were sick to begin with- there is a good chance it will KILL some of them before they have a chance to spread it to thier family and loved ones. At least with a few less patients, the short staffing isn't so bad. I have a slightly different work ethic.

Overdramatic much?

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
Overdramatic much?

Overdramatic only if you and your family members are 100% healthy with no immune issues whatsoever. You must be leading a charmed life.

God help you if you or a family member develops any issues. You will "get it" then.

As a health care worker you should already be on board. Sorry that you're not there in your learning curve.

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Specializes in Med/surg, Quality & Risk.
Overdramatic only if you and your family members are 100% healthy with no immune issues whatsoever. You must be leading a charmed life.

God help you if you or a family member develops any issues. You will "get it" then.

As a health care worker you should already be on board. Sorry that you're not there in your learning curve.

I'm at the place in my learning curve where a) patients who have immune issues are on neutropenic precautions, and b) people who have immune issues and are currently not in need of medical care STAY OUT OF THE HOSPITAL. And usually wear masks themselves, if they're "there in THEIR learning curve." Sorry that you can't convince me that I shouldn't show up if I have a stuffy nose and a headache.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
I'm at the place in my learning curve where a) patients who have immune issues are on neutropenic precautions, and b) people who have immune issues and are currently not in need of medical care STAY OUT OF THE HOSPITAL. And usually wear masks themselves, if they're "there in THEIR learning curve." Sorry that you can't convince me that I shouldn't show up if I have a stuffy nose and a headache.

Sorrier for your co-workers and your patients.

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Specializes in Med/surg, Quality & Risk.
Sorrier for your co-workers and your patients.

Must be some pretty stupid coworkers if they think they can catch a stuffy nose and headache, but by all means keep smokin' that red herring.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.

Why do people come to work when they are sick?

Because they don't have any sick time available and cannot afford an unpaid day off.

Because management harasses them when they call to take the day off d/t illness.

Because they feel bad about leaving their peers short handed knowing/suspecting that they won't be replaced.

Because they are not sick enough to justify laying around.

Just a few reasons that come immediately to mind when I consider the question.

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
Some people are in the position-financial or otherwise-that they must come in; not everyone has or is eligible for sick time or other perks.

Some people, like myself, care LESS about what people think and will call out sick; the one time I didn't because there was NO other back up; I came with DayQuil and worked the 16 hr shift-they truly had no one to staff. That will be the only time I will come in sick; and that had been far in between despite my own medical issues, I usually don't get sick as I've tailored a few interventions that have improved my health over the years.

The problem is, the people who come in dragging their butts really don't do anyone any good. They're too sick to work up to speed, and they risk sharing their bug with the patients and co-workers.

Several years ago I wound up in the hospital due to a co-worker who came in and shared her whopping URI. She spent most of the day sitting at the desk, so she really didn't work. Her choice had long-term consequences for me. Part of being a team member means having the sense God gave a goose to stay home when you're sick so you don't make your co-workers sick. What if your colleague has a child at home who is immunocompromised? What if he/she is caring for an elderly family member at home?

A charge nurse at my first job once told me, "They don't give you a medal for coming in to work sick."

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