People at work with colds

Author
Discussion

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

54 months

Monday 21st October 2019
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[redacted]

stuthemong

2,275 posts

217 months

Monday 21st October 2019
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Poor form to come in when obviously contagious, especially not using a handkerchief.

I'd have mentioned you couldn't afford getting ill and asked him to stay clear.

That said, you could use a facemask / glasses to minimise your chance of getting infected - Japaneese/Korean subway chic!

C0ffin D0dger

3,440 posts

145 months

Monday 21st October 2019
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I'll admit guilt with the whole soldiering on thing, it is just a cold a the end of the day, but I would sneeze into a tissue and cough with my hand over my mouth. Beyond trying not to spread the germs it's basic good manners to.

I also hate most of my co-workers so if I can infect them then so be it, and one of them probably infected me in the first place biggrin

eybic

9,212 posts

174 months

Monday 21st October 2019
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My employer doesn't pay sick pay so we get the same and unless people are laid up in bed, they come in to avoid losing a day's money. My solution would be paying sick pay but then you get people taking the piss unfortunately.

Mike335i

5,004 posts

102 months

Monday 21st October 2019
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Tricky balance, I find it frustrating when some people ring in sick for a cold as it means I need to get their work covered by their colleagues, most of whom probably also have a cold and still soldier on as most of us do.

The solution is probably more to do with the person
described being inconsiderate / thoughtless about sharing their germs. They should wear a facemask...

Edited by Mike335i on Monday 21st October 11:16

Hub

6,434 posts

198 months

Monday 21st October 2019
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Annoying, yes, but people can't call in sick every time they have a bit of a sniffle though?

valiant

10,210 posts

160 months

Monday 21st October 2019
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eybic said:
My employer doesn't pay sick pay so we get the same and unless people are laid up in bed, they come in to avoid losing a day's money. My solution would be paying sick pay but then you get people taking the piss unfortunately.
People take the piss because there’s usually piss poor management of the sickness procedure which enables the pisstakers to take the piss.



AlexC1981

4,923 posts

217 months

Monday 21st October 2019
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Leave a box of tissues on his desk, ask him to use them and explain the health problems you have. Don't shame him in front of others in the first instance as he might become stubborn. Second instance feel free to shame away!

If he is a decent chap he should honour your request. Unfortunately some people are just disgusting and won't understand.

Europa1

10,923 posts

188 months

Monday 21st October 2019
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OP, I sympathise; I am in a similar boat. I don't know how to play it either.

Greshamst

2,060 posts

120 months

Monday 21st October 2019
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It’s a tricky one...
Technically you should stay at home if you feel you’re starting to get a cold, to avoid passing it to others, which will inevitably end up in most people in a ‘team’ having to take a day or more off at the peak of their cold...

However I’d always feel like I’m taking the piss not coming in when I was physically able, because I was starting to feel a cold coming on.

2 sMoKiN bArReLs

30,254 posts

235 months

Monday 21st October 2019
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Greshamst said:
It’s a tricky one...
Technically you should stay at home if you feel you’re starting to get a cold,
Seriously?

That would cause millions of lost hours. Most people just work through it, but try to be courteous to others.

Sporky

6,230 posts

64 months

Monday 21st October 2019
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I would like to offer the tip of coughing into your elbow if ill.

If you cough into your hand you'll likely then transfer the germs to everything you touch.

2 sMoKiN bArReLs

30,254 posts

235 months

Monday 21st October 2019
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Sporky said:
I would like to offer the tip of coughing into your elbow if ill.

Is that actually possible? hehe

(I've just tried it.....)

Sporky

6,230 posts

64 months

Monday 21st October 2019
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I can do it, and I'm not very bendy.

Edited by Sporky on Monday 21st October 21:47

Ynox

1,704 posts

179 months

Monday 21st October 2019
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Yep - had this fun last year when my mum was going through chemo. Also last week - I had a half marathon at the weekend so didn't want to get sick.

We tend to all WFH if ill. I'd rather WFH then try to get into the office. Also it saves it spreading around the entire office!

roadsmash

2,622 posts

70 months

Monday 21st October 2019
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Most colds are not airborne, in a work environment usually you will catch a cold from touching the same surfaces/items as your colleagues.

When someone at work has a cold, wash your hands with hand gel after you touch things like door handles, kettles, printers, etc.

Edited by roadsmash on Monday 21st October 21:51

zarjaz1991

3,480 posts

123 months

Monday 21st October 2019
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This really annoys me. It may be 'just a cold' to some people, but others suffer much worse.

Additionally, you get people (like myself) who have some caring responsibilities for (for example) a number of elderly people. If I catch a cold I can't do that until I get rid of it, because if I do I will likely infect them and make them very ill.

People who 'soldier on' are bloody selfish. Sorry. Keep your germs to yourself.

OldGermanHeaps

3,830 posts

178 months

Monday 21st October 2019
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you can pay my wages next time i get the sniffles then eh?

Sporky

6,230 posts

64 months

Monday 21st October 2019
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OldGermanHeaps said:
you can pay my wages next time i get the sniffles then eh?
How do you currently recompense those you infect?

OldGermanHeaps

3,830 posts

178 months

Monday 21st October 2019
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i dont kiss anybody when I am ill, cough into a hanky and keep on top of hygene. man up.