Comments on: Fight the Flu & Avoid Presenteeism

By: Practical H1N1 Prevention Strategies for Web Workers

Practical H1N1 Prevention Strategies for Web Workers — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:01:46 +0000

[...] Many of us work from home already, which does afford distinct advantages for infection avoidance during rampant epidemics. However, many web workers operate at least part of the time out of offices, call centers, and institutional settings where some colleagues will imagine they not only have a “right,” but even an obligation, to show up at work with the flu so long as they’re able to stagger in — a problem known as presenteeism, which Karen has written about previously. [...]

By: Ali

Ali — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 03:57:06 +0000

I wish all bosses would read this wonderfully written fact-based blog!!! I am 23 year old work-aholic that is deathly afraid to call out sick! I have only called out sick maybe 3 or 4 times my whole working life (since i was 15) and it scares the crap out of me! My current boss gives attitude when people call out, and I always feel like im a huge slacker if I do! I only call out if im vomiting or have a fever, and I feel as though even if I feel like crap, I better go into work or I am screwing my co-workers. I feel like it is a huge no-no to call out of work unless you are deathly sick. I love this article, but I think many people are driven to go into work out of fear. I know I am.

By: lindsaylorusso

lindsaylorusso — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:30:34 +0000

Companies who have staff working 30+ at the office each week should be able to offer a home version of their computer systems so employees can work from home when sick.

http://twitter.com/lindsaylorusso

By: astitchintime

astitchintime — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:53:46 +0000

I know we should stay home but it’s hard to do that when you work 30 hours and don’t get sicktime. It isn’t fair to force me to not work when I can’t afford to miss a day of work. I’d probably feel a lot worse since I would be stressed knowing I won’t be getting enough to cover my bills. Thankfully I’m usually a pretty healthy person but if I wasn’t I wouldn’t be able to afford living expenses. I think in times like this employers should have some sicktime available providing you hand in a note from the doctor.

By: SallyK

SallyK — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:32:27 +0000

I think the best thing that is happening in Ohio is they are immunizing school children. The people I work with who have school age children are toxic during the fall and winter flu season. If their kids stay well, we all have a better chance of staying well. North Coast Muse @ http://sally1029.wordpress.com

By: jenclinton

jenclinton — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:02:35 +0000

Swine flu doesn’t necessarily put you in the ICU – that’s only if you have pre-existing medical conditions that would be further compromised by a flu. Other people might show weaker symptoms than they would if they had the seasonal flu.

So while yes, the media may be blowing it out of proportion, I say ease up a little, @Fear Monger[er] because even if you do catch it, it’s good to be careful… no one knows how their body might react.

By: Fear Monger

Fear Monger — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:06:34 +0000

Yet another fear monger riding the Swine Flu wave.

If you’re not in the hospital within days of showing symptoms, and I mean the ICU, you don’t have swine flu.

While your advice is fine, I’m tired of people like you and the media trying to make a buck off of people getting worried about it.

Here’s a freebie for you idiots: Anti Swine Flu Tissues…

By: Chillingworth

Chillingworth — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:31:47 +0000

Cover your mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze (or cough into your shoulder or elbow), wash hands after blowing your nose… It’s good advice—and, as you say, it’s also just common sense—and there are signs more or less everywhere all the time urging us to take these precautions, but people still don’t. I can’t count the number of times I’ve seen someone sneeze right into his hand and then go right on touching things as if everything were fine.

I bet we could even afford for people to go in sick occasionally if they didn’t insist on smearing pathogens all over the computers and doorknobs and everything else that the rest of us have to touch.

By: Ed Marsh

Ed Marsh — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:52:06 +0000

I see these kind of stories frequently in the fall/winter months – stay home if you’re sick! But what these stories always neglect to mention is that many businesses define a set number of sick days per employee. What do you do if you’re sniffly and are out of sick days? Call in sick and take the resulting dock in pay? Not all companies let people work at home, either, so that’s not always a viable option.

By: Gordie Rogers

Gordie Rogers — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 05:50:27 +0000

After living in Asia for the past eight years, I see there is absolutely no need for handkerchiefs anymore. They are disgusting if you sneeze or blow your nose into them and then put it back in your pocket. In Asia, everyone carries around little packets of tissue. Use it once and then throw it away. Much more hygienic.