Why do EMPOLYERS Make SICK EMPLOYEES Work? YUCK!

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Submitted by realitycheck on March 29, 2006 - 6:04am.

Have you ever been to a restaurant or a bank and the person waiting on you is noticeably sick? I hate that! It’s so gross! Why do employers make sick employees work? I have always wondered this. I really hate when a sick waitress is working because every single time, know matter how much I wash my hands, I end up getting sick too.

As you may know, I have been suffering from a head cold and strep throat for the past 5 days.

Now believe me when I say this; In the past decade I can count on one hand the number of times I have called into work sick. I am not one to call in because the weather is nice.

So I laid in bed until 5:00pm then got my stuff together for a long night at the bar. As soon as I got there all the girls told me I looked awful and that they wish I’d go home because they can’t afford to get sick. I agreed, but was S.O.L.

My entire shift I felt like a zombie from the medicine I had been taking. I definitely wasn’t up on customer service that day. In addition, it hurt to even talk. I spent 8 hours coughing all over beers and running to the bathroom to blow my nose. I know people were offended by this but I had no other options.

What’s the deal? Why do employers make you work when you’re legitimately sick? I wish there was a law against this. It’s not fair that the rest of the staff has to come down with my illness and it’s not fair that I have to work under those conditions either. I am fully aware that companies have deadlines and that they need employees to function but at the same time there should be some kind of rule. Do they want their entire staff to get infected?

What do you think?
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The rea$on remain$ the $ame

#53673 On March 29, 2006 8:21am o ceallaigh said,
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"You check the unemployment statistics lately, sheila? You want the job, you get your sweet behind in here. Or don't show up again. I can have my pick. Probably for cheaper. Only reason I don's sack you now is so I don't have to put myself to the work of doing interviews".

But you might, just for jollies, do a web search on laws relating to the health status of food service workers. I wouldn't be surprised to find that, lo and behold, there is a law, or probably several of them, governing this situation. If you can get anybody interested in enforcing it.

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Ugh. I totally sympathize.

#53679 On March 29, 2006 9:07am IntricateGirl said,
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Ugh. I totally sympathize. My husband is salaried, and the company has no sick time as part of its package. Furthermore, although he worked from home two days when there was over a foot of snow on the ground, he is expected to take vacation or unpaid time. That's peachy, but it was neither. And the real pain in the butt- legally, they can do whatever they want.

Of course, they haven't met me yet. I have at least three angles I am looking into regarding this. In the end, I don't think it will matter anyway because his job happens to be in demand and they aren't the best at keeping these kind of records.

This is my number one argument for socialism. Forget the socialized medicine and schooling. I want a piece of that 6-12 weeks vacation every year. Would our economy go in the toilet because of it- yeah, probably. So? lol. (My least rational argument ever, I know.)

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My hubby too

#53684 On March 29, 2006 10:21am realitycheck said,
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My husband is also salary. He does have a vacation/sick days package but it is pretty much worthless as far as the sick days are concerned. They request that he schedule sick days a month in advance. That's the most ignorant thing ever!

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Schedule a sick day?? Maybe

#53697 On March 29, 2006 12:48pm IntricateGirl said,
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Schedule a sick day?? Maybe they do have it figured out after all. lol

Actually, that is exactly why the company has no official sick time. The reasoning is that if you have it as part of your package, you will view those days as yours, and you will take them without really being sick. And it's a good point. Kinda distrusting, but a good point nevertheless.

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sick people

#53721 On March 29, 2006 4:52pm pchan33 said,
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It makes no sense to me either. I agree with your post. I have a scratchy throat and runny nose all day today and I had to go to work...and spread my germs.

Dreams Matter.

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Calling In Sick...

#53726 On March 29, 2006 5:20pm myspaceoryours said,
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I've only been asked to come into work even though I was sick, ONCE... and a fews days later I turned into my letter of resignation. ;-)

I understand the employer's need to have "coverage", but it's not like you PLANNED to get sick...

A friend of mine gave me this tip for calling in sick -- Call your boss @ 4 o'clock in the morning (or whatever time you KNOW for sure they won't be there to answer)... and just leave a message.

Then turn the ringer off on your phone until your shift is over. What are they going to do... come to your house to get you? (Although i'm sure some employers just might...) It's always worked for me...

Great post, Realitycheck :)

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