Calling In "Well"

We’ve all had those days when our alarm sounds and, as we slowly roll over, we want nothing more than to call in sick for the day and go back to bed.

Today I contemplated calling in “well.” That’s right. My health is fine, but I’d argue that I could be more profitable to the organization if I were to stay home today and retain my health rather than coming in to work and getting sick. You see, in the past few days, I’ve noticed a number of different illnesses floating around the office but I had no choice but to go about my job and hope that my weekend plans weren’t sidetracked by sickness.

And I’m sure I’m not alone here. We’ve all at one point confined ourselves to our offices to avoid the germ carriers….or perhaps you were the one others were avoiding? So why do Americans in general have such difficulty taking a day off when they are ill? For some it is the workload they are leaving untouched for the day, or perhaps the looming thought of what the pile may look like when they return. For others it seems they have something to prove by “roughing it out.” Either way, their work suffers.

With cold and flu season just around the corner, we could all stand a reminder to take care of ourselves and not bring unnecessary germs to the workplace. It will prove to be more productive in the long run for everyone involved.

Posted by Shelly Paul, Career Management Coordinator, The H.S. Group