Society & Culture Sick Days

[raskolnikov]

I'm on one today. Anyone else feel really guilty when they take sick days? I'm sitting at home feeling really guilty and I've got a valid reason too(pneumonia). I don't know how people can take them off when they're not really sick.

What are your views on sick days? Are they there to be used or should you only take them when absolutely necessary?

 

[aaronm46]

hell no, the sick day is a gift to oneself

 

[Cynic]

Yeah I tend to feel a little guilty when I take them as well, normally as I'm well enough to work a lot of the time I just don't want to pass off whatever I may have to my work mates.

 

[SHAKESPEARE]

I always get a condescending "Have a great day" when i call in sick.

 

[Shell]

hell no,

This.

And hate people who are at work sick.

1. They spread their stupid germs making everyone else sick.

2. Complain endlessly about how they are sick. Er take a day off numnuts.

 

[Caesar]

Most managers will rather somebody genuinely sick stays home. If you're at work you're infecting other people, not at 100% productivity, and possibly dragging down the productivity of those around you to boot. I would rather somebody takes 1 or 2 days off and gets better rather than spends most of the week operating at half capacity.

That said, if you're staying home sick, then it's not supposed to be a free day. You're still working, it's just your job is to get better - so don't go out shopping or whatever. Rug up, take the drugs, go to the doc if needed. That sort of thing.

[/manager manual]

Honestly, I don't give a crap if my staff chuck the odd sickie. I know they do, and I've done it myself - as long as they're not making things difficult in terms of meetings/deadlines it's fine. Everyone needs the odd day off.

Just be aware that if you're taking too many then you'll probably be viewed as lazy and uncommitted. Most people get what - 10 days a year? It's pretty generous. You're entitled to them all, but unless you have a serious bout of illness, most people don't even take half that.

 

[Shell]

Just be aware that if you're taking too many then you'll probably be viewed as lazy and uncommitted. Most people get what - 10 days a year? It's pretty generous. You're entitled to them all, but unless you have a serious bout of illness, most people don't even take half that.

Isnt it 10 days with a certificate, 10 days without??

Anyway, either way I definitely use up my sick time every year. Work at a high school, germies flying around here left, right and centre.

 

[Caesar]

You're probably right, I really wouldn't know.

Depends on the environment I guess. I imagine the absolute last thing any school would want is a teacher infecting the 100 or so kids she comes in contact with during the day. On the other hand, in an office environment anyone taking 10-20 days' worth of sick days a year would generate a lot of talk (unless they had a major injury/illness).

 

[Shell]

You're probably right, I really wouldn't know.

Depends on the environment I guess. I imagine the absolute last thing any school would want is a teacher infecting the 100 or so kids she comes in contact with during the day. ).

Lol, this is what I've caught while working at a school:
- however many colds/flus, etc
- 1 conjunctivitis (ended up at the Eye and Ear hospital)
- 1 bout of 10-day gastro- definitely caught that off a kid, most probably from a shared water bottle at a camp.

I think thats about it. Gastro was the worst by far, almost died. -not really but yeah it was pretty bad-

 

[raskolnikov]

Yeah 'm a teacher too. I feel bad taking days off because I know others have to cover my class. I got the condescending "Have a great day" this morning when I rang in, even though people commented on how bad I sounded last week. This is only my third day off this year so it's not as if I am flaunting the system. When I get back tomorrow there will be all the "Have a great long weekend?" comments.

 

[Shell]

I'm actually an integration aide...

Yeah 'm a teacher too. I feel bad taking days off because I know others have to cover my class. I got the condescending "Have a great day" this morning when I rang in, even though people commented on how bad I sounded last week. This is only my third day off this year so it's not as if I am flaunting the system. When I get back tomorrow there will be all the "Have a great long weekend?" comments.

But yeah dont feel bad, are you ****ing serious?!?!?! Plus every teacher has the same number of extras to cover each semester/year and there are ETs as well. So buttons to them if they get an extra, thats their (and your) job.

Also apparently you dont even have to give them a specific reason as why you are away. It's your business and yours only.. (might just have to have a doctors certificate is all)

 

[krisholio14]

Used to well and truly use up my 11 sickies a year quota every single year.

But in the last 18 months, I've only taken 3, and two of those were because I could hardly walk.

It helps working at a place where if you are feeling a bit average, you can rock up and have a sleep etc, just as long as you get the bare minimum done, and they dont have to find someone to replace me.

 

[raskolnikov]

I'm actually an integration aide...



But yeah dont feel bad, are you ****ing serious?!?!?! Plus every teacher has the same number of extras to cover each semester/year and there are ETs as well. So buttons to them if they get an extra, thats their (and your) job.

Also apparently you dont even have to give them a specific reason as why you are away. It's your business and yours only.. (might just have to have a doctors certificate is all)

Yeah I got a doctor's certificate, the doctor actually gave me to Wednesday off if I need but I'll go in tomorrow if I wake up feeling reasonably ok. It won't stop the staff looking at me with suspicion when I walk in tomorrow morning.

 

[Shell]

Yeah I got a doctor's certificate, the doctor actually gave me to Wednesday off if I need but I'll go in tomorrow if I wake up feeling reasonably ok. It won't stop the staff looking at me with suspicion when I walk in tomorrow morning.

God I hate working at a school sometimes... full of bitches who "tell" on people whenever they get the chance. So immature.. and just so unnecessary.


Just ignore the "looks". And ask the person who took your classes if they enjoyed them.

 

[Harvey Leadpipe]

Take them. I've got 119 owing to me, and will never use anywhere near them all.

I usually take 2-3 illegitimate days off sick each year, and usually coincide with 18-24 degree weather, no wind and mid-week comp at the golf club.

Use plenty of sunscreen though and never play too well in the comp, you don't want your name in the paper.

 

[THRILLHO]

Anyway, either way I definitely use up my sick time every year. Work at a high school, germies flying around here left, right and centre.

Seriously?

I havent had a day off this year. Have only had one minor cold and anyway, I'd rather just go to work than actually take the day because I hate leaving extras at the last minute.

 

[coke_zero]

School is easy so i dont need to take sick days.

 

[Kid Presentable]

I feel bad when I use sick days when i'm really sick - as i'd rather use them on cricket days.

 

[footy_4_life]

I havnt had a sick day in close to 8 years. That day was the day after losing 7 mates.

 

[St 07]

I take a sickie every now and then. Usually just spend the day drinking beer and tinkering around the house/car/ hanging out with unemployed friends etc.

I regret this when I am actually sick but it's somewhat of a rarity

 

[raskolnikov]

I havnt had a sick day in close to 8 years. That day was the day after losing 7 mates.

I'm presuming that was the Sari club. Sorry to hear that. I lost a mate in that too.

 

[footy_4_life]

I'm presuming that was the Sari club. Sorry to hear that. I lost a mate in that too.

Yeah it was (footy club). I was obviously capable of going to work health wise but mentally i was never going to be able to do it.

 

[vonn]

I don't think I went to school for half a term in year 9. Now that I'm in year 11 I've gone like every day except when I'm overloaded with work and I have to do them at home cause I don't have enough time on weekends and I have classes I'm not doing next year. Good to get it out of my system this early.

 

[DB10]

I took an entire week off last month just because I felt like it.

I've given that shithole enough of my time over the years, I earned it. they can get tae **** tbh.

 

[yeah_nah]

I don't think I went to school for half a term in year 9. Now that I'm in year 11 I've gone like every day except when I'm overloaded with work and I have to do them at home cause I don't have enough time on weekends and I have classes I'm not doing next year. Good to get it out of my system this early.

You can't handle the workload in year 11???

I don't think I missed a single day in year 12 at high school and certainly never took time off to complete assignments etc..

As for chucking sickies - I have only done it at my current job a few times and they can see I'm genuinely committed to working there and reward me accordingly when it comes time for pay rises

Legitimate sick days.. if I know I have a deadline to meet or something It does make me feel a bit guilty but I don't think going in to work running at 40% is any better than not working at all.

Last year I took a while off work because I got the swine flu - I'm pretty sure my work was happy for me to have however long I wanted off for that because they sure as hell didn't want to catch it