Off sick yet again!

pbirkett · 11-10-2005, 08:45

This morning, I have gone to work and now I am back home again, suspected cold / flu again. No big deal you would think...

However, this is the third time in approx 4 months I have been off on the sick with cold / flu. The last time, I had a sickness review at work because of the number of days I've had off, and was told that if I was off again, I'd hit a "trigger point". This seems to be the escalation of a normal return to work interview.

Now, this is what gets me, why do I have a feeling that I am going to be made to feel guilty about being ill?

I ask you this: Is it not better to stay off work, when you know that you are not going to be even 50% as productive, and also, to protect colleagues from catching it? Why should I be made to feel guilty about it? Too many people are martyrs for work, coming in when they are ill, but do they really get any thanks for it? My parents used to be of the attitude that you should go in unless you are practically dying, but since then they have said that they would not do it any more, because you get no gratitude for it anyway.

What do you think?

What should my reaction be if i get bolloxed for being off sick? I think it would be unfair, but in some ways, I can sort of see their point, but also, I cannot help being unwell.

PS. I'm now beginning to think its more than a coincidence that, since I moved out, I've been ill a lot more often. Never mind, I go back home soon... Also, how the hell do you avoid getting colds, if I carry on at this rate, I can see me getting some grief for this...

heresmo · 11-10-2005, 09:56

Hi Paul

Sorry to hear you're in the wars again. Colds make you feel miserable enough (ask Devonutopia!) so suggest watching a couple of comedy programmes if you're at home anyway

I'd probably say exactly what your parents do - i.e. my attitude has changed. A typical way of dealing with it seems to be to make the effort to go in, and be seen to be ill, so skiving is straightaway off the table.

Why not go see the doc? He might suggest a flu jab, but you could as a minimum ask him for a sick certificate. At the cost of a few pounds, it would show that you were making all efforts to check that there are no underlying problems. Also, were trying to recover soonest with expert advice, so what more could you be expected to do?

Keep wrapped up and keep your chin up

Best, Mo

JRHartley · 11-10-2005, 10:06

If you go in, make sure you give a big sneeze over the person who complained about the number of days you have off..

Some companies don't seem to grasp the concept that these ' martyr types' are the ones causing the problem by coming in and spreading their lurgy to everyone else.

If someone is genuinly ill, they should be allowed the time to recover properly and allow their bodies to get back to normal so they don't keep catching more flu/colds. and having further periods of illness

We had a woman at work once who came in with the flu and was given an award for 'dedication to duty' and in the process gave half the dept. a dose (of flu - the other type of dose was just a rumour)...pi55ed me of no end as I had been with the company for ten years and never had a day of on the sick......

Wonder what managements response would be if you went into work covered from head to foot in fake stick on 'scabs' and went around touching everyone..bet you'd be home in the space of ten minutes...

...I think companies should get their blOO*y priorities right....and stop oppressing the masses.

Gwilo · 11-10-2005, 10:10

I'm with Mo on this.
Wrap up, put the heating on. Get a hot drink.
Sleep.

to work for now.
Get down the doctors. You'd be surprised what a sit down and chat with them can do for you (Temazepam and sick notes excluded!)

If it is a recurring problem, maybe look for something running you down. given your stress levels at the moment, I'd look at that first. Goodness knows, it's where my problems are coming from.

Talk to your manager if they are approachable. I talked to mine a few weeks ago, and he was remarkably understanding. I'm not saying its the same where you are, but there can be no harm in doing so, can there?

**robmawer** · 11-10-2005, 10:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbirkett

I ask you this: Is it not better to stay off work, when you know that you are not going to be even 50% as productive, and also, to protect colleagues from catching it?

Yes. Unfortunately, there are two factors who come into play:
1. Managers who can't see the bigger picture and who also believe that if you're not at your desk for a set number of hours you can't be doing enough work.
2. Employees who take the p*ss with sick days, hence the bureaucracy has to come into effect to try and control this, and as with all bureaucracy it doesn't work especially well.

To add to the sub-50% productivity when actually at work with a cold, you have to factor in that it will also take longer for that cold to go - so in reality, that figure is much lower.
And also then factor in the cost of adverse public-image and customer relations if someone does a substandard job while full of cold and painkillers - I'd rather people just took a couple of days off rather than destroy years of hard work building up a company's good reputation...

Rob.

MrBump · 11-10-2005, 10:46

I know how you feel. I too (think i might have mentioned it in another post) had a couple of instances off sick fairly close together but the end result was something like 8 days off in 6 months for a cold/flu and for bells palsy when i couldn't drive due to my eye being irritated. This, according to them that like to give you extra (according to their adverts) is excessive and have been told that any more genuine illnesses in the next 3 months will see the next step in the disciplinary process come into motion.

Fair enough, people do abuse the system and should be dealt with accordingly IMO but when it's obvious that you're ill (physical symptoms, doctors line, whatever) i think it's pathetic that they go down the harshly harshly route.

If your place is anything like mine some will get hammered for crossing the line and others will go unnoticed.

to them all.

Best thing you can do in the meantime, as others have said, is get plenty of rest. Might be that your immune system is low - i had big problems with that a couple of years back and was on one lot of antibiotics after another. a friend suggested that i get some multivitamins to try and sort it out and it worked so you might want to give that a try.

pbirkett · 11-10-2005, 10:49

Glad to see some people on my side with the work thing, a lot of people clearly seem to think I am some kind of "wuss" for not going in, but thats their problem not mine.

I think (and I've been through this before) some lifestyle changes are needed however, as I'm clearly pretty run down to be getting this many colds in such a short period of time. One of these days, I might actually get around to doing it!

cmcm789 · 11-10-2005, 11:07

I hit the trigger point when i was off work for 4 weeks after getting my appendix out. Shortly after i returned to work i got a letter telling me that they would be monitoring me? what incase i get more appendicitous??

But they also wrote in the letter that the next stage of the process should be to have an interview with personnel (they must want to see my scar!) but that in this instance they would overlook this, they're such a kind bunch (NOT)

You can't win!

JD

neilwilliams · 11-10-2005, 12:18

A number of years ago I had colds every few weeks and they only stopped when I went on a school ski trip.

Now that might seem a little expensive and extreme but once you've cleared this cold try going for a longish walk in a nice green space with fairly clean air as that could help a bit.

spinndrift · 11-10-2005, 12:35

I got a verbal warning and two written warnings for being signed off for 9 weeks after my car accident in August 2004. When I came back to work they asked if there was anything that they could do to help me out and I asked for an appointment with occupational health to see if I can have a better chair and a footrest etc to help my back.

I got the appointment date sent to me yesterday morning over a year later - not very impressed.

***ncarring*** · 11-10-2005, 12:39

Of course we're on your side. Get well soon.

(I do recall a certain post about mind-altering substances though ...

)

jifster · 11-10-2005, 13:17

I was off 3 times in a couple of months with chest infections. Everytime I went back I was on night shift, 6 long nights in an overheated office with no air con on as they switch it off at night to save money. The temp rises to over 90 degrees. Everytime I went back my chest infection got worse.

I ended up seeing private doctors and taking steroid inhailers for two months and am only just getting over it all and this all started in April. Additionally i'm only just recovering from a 'balance' problem that i've been told was due to the viral infection attacking my balance system to.

Now it's coming to year end i'm starting to hear things like 'oh he has more sickness than all the other guys put together etc'..... At the time I really though I was gonna die, it was that bad.

Makes me want to go 'postal' with a '45 sometimes.

edit: not that I have a 45, I may have to settle for some 4 x 5 which could limit the damage somewhat.

another edit: Oh, it also made me give up smoking, never a heavy smoker but not touched one since April, highly recommended if your thinking about it.

flatfourburble · 11-10-2005, 15:33

Every place is like this nowdays. I have people in the office that come in with terrible colds and pass it on to others, to be fair I've done it to as it's easier than the whole warning rubbish.

Thing that bugs me is I wasn't ill for over a year (in the sense had time off) I went off this year with my back and another issue for 4 weeks and they got funny about it. To be fair I came back before I was ready as I was fed up of the hassle.

Paul as for the colds and bugs you keep getting, change your diet. I used to be terrible with colds, and under weight. since being looked after by SWSBO I've been alot health due to the fact I eat better food. Alos have a good chat woth your old quake!

Shifty · 11-10-2005, 16:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbirkett

Glad to see some people on my side with the work thing, a lot of people clearly seem to think I am some kind of "wuss" for not going in, but thats their problem not mine.

I think (and I've been through this before) some lifestyle changes are needed however, as I'm clearly pretty run down to be getting this many colds in such a short period of time. One of these days, I might actually get around to doing it!

Not having a go at you personally, but as an employER, here is my view.

You can't help being ill as you say, but ill to me is physically unable to do your job. Now, being sat in a warm cosy office with a runny nose, in my book, is no hardship, and a runny nose doesnt prevent you from going to work. Granted, you may infect everyone else, but if you choose to work in a closed environment with germ ridden people, thats one of the perils.

These companies that you all work for don't exist to keep you in mods for your Skoda. The cost of sick days is huge, far greater in fact than the cost of keeping unemployed poeple and asylum seekers.

I have every sympathy for you feeling unwell, especially having read some of your other posts, but cannot sympathise with it keeping you off work.

Ya great wuss

**robmawer** · 11-10-2005, 16:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shifty

The cost of sick days is huge, far greater in fact than the cost of keeping unemployed poeple and asylum seekers.

But it's the cost of 1-2 days lost labour for one person vs. a month's worth of underperformance from a team of people as they each in turn catch the same cold and pass it back on to each other.

That said, I don't take sick days, I just work from home to stop it affecting everyone else. Though that's not an option for everyone...

Rob.

Moose · 11-10-2005, 16:59

My advice would be to go in and get sent home. Nowt they can do then.

**robmawer** · 11-10-2005, 17:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moose

My advice would be to go in and get sent home. Nowt they can do then.

Unless your employer assumes you have the maturity to figure out when you're too ill to be in work - in which case they won't send you home!

Rob.

Moose · 11-10-2005, 17:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by robmawer

Unless your employer assumes you have the maturity to figure out when you're too ill to be in work - in which case they won't send you home!

Rob.

I always got told to do it so they knew I wasn't joking about. Im rarely off anyway and when I am, its serious.

I recently took 2 days off for being very badly sunburnt, I went in but really wasn't well. I was bright red and very faint. They couldn't argue I guess.

pbirkett · 11-10-2005, 17:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shifty

Not having a go at you personally, but as an employER, here is my view.

You can't help being ill as you say, but ill to me is physically unable to do your job. Now, being sat in a warm cosy office with a runny nose, in my book, is no hardship, and a runny nose doesnt prevent you from going to work. Granted, you may infect everyone else, but if you choose to work in a closed environment with germ ridden people, thats one of the perils.

These companies that you all work for don't exist to keep you in mods for your Skoda. The cost of sick days is huge, far greater in fact than the cost of keeping unemployed poeple and asylum seekers.

I have every sympathy for you feeling unwell, especially having read some of your other posts, but cannot sympathise with it keeping you off work.

Ya great wuss

Fair enough, and you are entitled to your opinion, but if only my job was just sitting in a warm cosy office. No, my job often involves a lot of lifting moderately heavy to very heavy kit, and transporting it around the building. If all I had to do was sit there on my PC all day, I would have stayed, absolutely, but I physically did not feel up to the possibility of physical labour in a red hot office building, when I already have muscle fatigue and a raging fever!

Hope you understand

Moose - I did actually go in this morning, i was in for 7:15am, but left about 8:30 when it became apparent I really was not going to be very productive today - and indeed, I've found it a struggle to even leave my seat when I got in. I even went in yesterday despite feeling like crap then, and getting no sleep on sunday night, but its caught up with me today.

I'm no skiver, but at the end of the day, I aint going to work if I'm ill, especially considering I am underpaid, and work for the most ungrateful, scummiest managers you can possibly imagine.

Moose · 11-10-2005, 17:19

If you've gone in and they've said 'go home and get better', then thats all you need.

Shifty · 11-10-2005, 17:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbirkett

Fair enough, and you are entitled to your opinion, but if only my job was just sitting in a warm cosy office. No, my job often involves a lot of lifting moderately heavy to very heavy kit, and transporting it around the building. If all I had to do was sit there on my PC all day, I would have stayed, absolutely, but I physically did not feel up to the possibility of physical labour in a red hot office building, when I already have muscle fatigue and a raging fever!

Hope you understand

Moose - I did actually go in this morning, i was in for 7:15am, but left about 8:30 when it became apparent I really was not going to be very productive today - and indeed, I've found it a struggle to even leave my seat when I got in. I even went in yesterday despite feeling like crap then, and getting no sleep on sunday night, but its caught up with me today.

I'm no skiver, but at the end of the day, I aint going to work if I'm ill, especially considering I am underpaid, and work for the most ungrateful, scummiest managers you can possibly imagine.

No worries mate, and I don't begrudge you being sat at home feeling poo. Just thought i'd throw an employers view into the mixing pot. Creat a debate so to speak.

**tfboy** · 11-10-2005, 17:27

I really sympathise with you Paul. And like you, even whem I'm not on top, I'll go in. Sometimes, people will say "go home" and I will, but I don't like the idea of not going in if I can physically drive and have the mental awareness.

If it's a cold / high fever, I'd stay at home though. I just go along the thought that 2 days at 0% productivity is less loss than 5 days at 20% productivity, and you don't run the risk of spreading whatever you have to others.

Where SWMBO works, one of her colleagues has at least one Sick day on a Monday or a Friday every fortnight

Now that on the other hand.....

pbirkett · 11-10-2005, 17:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shifty

No worries mate, and I don't begrudge you being sat at home feeling poo. Just thought i'd throw an employers view into the mixing pot. Creat a debate so to speak.

That ok mate

I was just clarifying that my job is not that "easy" physically. Mentally I could have done the technical bits, but if I'd stayed, it would have been sods law that I would have had a delivery of 50 PC's + monitors to put into storage, now that would have sucked.

PussCat · 11-10-2005, 17:59

interesting to read this today... espec as I don't think I'm going to go into work tomorrow!
Work up this morning feeling rather ill - headache, shivers, sore throat, pukey - but went into work cos I'm an IT Trainer and I had no way of getting in touch with the people I was training today... if I hadn't gone in, they'd quite literally have been left standing out in the cold! I ran the course - but I don't feel they got their full money's worth outta me - hard to train when you're not 100%.... so I've told my boss I'm not going in tomorrow, cos I wanna try and shake whatever it is I've got.
Thing is, I know when I go back in I'll have to have a return to work interview... cos I'll have been off 3 times in the space of 12 months.... bit naff realy when you consider that the other 2 times were due to Crohn's, which i can't do anything about! Hey ho. But - no point going in and spreading my germs to the people I'm training....

Chris GB · 13-10-2005, 22:11

Hi

If you are getting colds and infections a lot, it may be worth giving the puff a miss for a bit. When I used to indulge on a nightly basis, I was always picking up everything everone else had. When I went to occasional sessions, I got healthy quite quickly. Aparently, the stuff acts as an anti inflamatory and unfortunately supresses the immune response as part of this. Of cousre if you are using tobacco with it, you make the situation even worse (as well as taking the edge off the buzz).

Chris

PS get well soon.

11-10-2005, 08:45	#1
pbirkett Briskodian Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,873 Members Car: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Off sick yet again! This morning, I have gone to work and now I am back home again, suspected cold / flu again. No big deal you would think... However, this is the third time in approx 4 months I have been off on the sick with cold / flu. The last time, I had a sickness review at work because of the number of days I've had off, and was told that if I was off again, I'd hit a "trigger point". This seems to be the escalation of a normal return to work interview. Now, this is what gets me, why do I have a feeling that I am going to be made to feel guilty about being ill? I ask you this: Is it not better to stay off work, when you know that you are not going to be even 50% as productive, and also, to protect colleagues from catching it? Why should I be made to feel guilty about it? Too many people are martyrs for work, coming in when they are ill, but do they really get any thanks for it? My parents used to be of the attitude that you should go in unless you are practically dying, but since then they have said that they would not do it any more, because you get no gratitude for it anyway. What do you think? What should my reaction be if i get bolloxed for being off sick? I think it would be unfair, but in some ways, I can sort of see their point, but also, I cannot help being unwell. PS. I'm now beginning to think its more than a coincidence that, since I moved out, I've been ill a lot more often. Never mind, I go back home soon... Also, how the hell do you avoid getting colds, if I carry on at this rate, I can see me getting some grief for this...

11-10-2005, 10:06	#3
JRHartley Briskodian Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: North west Posts: 2,010 Members Car: Octavia 1.9 TDi Thanks: 0 Thanked 16 Times in 13 Posts	If you go in, make sure you give a big sneeze over the person who complained about the number of days you have off.. Some companies don't seem to grasp the concept that these ' martyr types' are the ones causing the problem by coming in and spreading their lurgy to everyone else. If someone is genuinly ill, they should be allowed the time to recover properly and allow their bodies to get back to normal so they don't keep catching more flu/colds. and having further periods of illness We had a woman at work once who came in with the flu and was given an award for 'dedication to duty' and in the process gave half the dept. a dose (of flu - the other type of dose was just a rumour)...pi55ed me of no end as I had been with the company for ten years and never had a day of on the sick...... Wonder what managements response would be if you went into work covered from head to foot in fake stick on 'scabs' and went around touching everyone..bet you'd be home in the space of ten minutes... ...I think companies should get their blOOy priorities right....and stop oppressing the masses. __________________ I'm a celebrity...... Get me out of here !!! Last edited by JRHartley; 11-10-2005 at 10:09.*

11-10-2005, 10:10	#4
Gwilo Undercover Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Manchester Posts: 3,687 Members Car: Rustwagon Thanks: 17 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts	I'm with Mo on this. Wrap up, put the heating on. Get a hot drink. Sleep. to work for now. Get down the doctors. You'd be surprised what a sit down and chat with them can do for you (Temazepam and sick notes excluded!) If it is a recurring problem, maybe look for something running you down. given your stress levels at the moment, I'd look at that first. Goodness knows, it's where my problems are coming from. Talk to your manager if they are approachable. I talked to mine a few weeks ago, and he was remarkably understanding. I'm not saying its the same where you are, but there can be no harm in doing so, can there? __________________

11-10-2005, 10:46	#6
MrBump Briskodian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Scotland Posts: 235 Members Car: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I know how you feel. I too (think i might have mentioned it in another post) had a couple of instances off sick fairly close together but the end result was something like 8 days off in 6 months for a cold/flu and for bells palsy when i couldn't drive due to my eye being irritated. This, according to them that like to give you extra (according to their adverts) is excessive and have been told that any more genuine illnesses in the next 3 months will see the next step in the disciplinary process come into motion. Fair enough, people do abuse the system and should be dealt with accordingly IMO but when it's obvious that you're ill (physical symptoms, doctors line, whatever) i think it's pathetic that they go down the harshly harshly route. If your place is anything like mine some will get hammered for crossing the line and others will go unnoticed. to them all. Best thing you can do in the meantime, as others have said, is get plenty of rest. Might be that your immune system is low - i had big problems with that a couple of years back and was on one lot of antibiotics after another. a friend suggested that i get some multivitamins to try and sort it out and it worked so you might want to give that a try. __________________ It's a Citroen. Honest

11-10-2005, 11:07	#8
cmcm789 Briskodian Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 965 Members Car: Octy Elegance 110 TDI (2003) Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I hit the trigger point when i was off work for 4 weeks after getting my appendix out. Shortly after i returned to work i got a letter telling me that they would be monitoring me? what incase i get more appendicitous?? But they also wrote in the letter that the next stage of the process should be to have an interview with personnel (they must want to see my scar!) but that in this instance they would overlook this, they're such a kind bunch (NOT) You can't win! JD __________________ Octy Elegance TDI (110bhp)

11-10-2005, 09:56	#2
heresmo Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 12,554 Members Car: Thanks: 50 Thanked 143 Times in 123 Posts	Hi Paul Sorry to hear you're in the wars again. Colds make you feel miserable enough (ask Devonutopia!) so suggest watching a couple of comedy programmes if you're at home anyway I'd probably say exactly what your parents do - i.e. my attitude has changed. A typical way of dealing with it seems to be to make the effort to go in, and be seen to be ill, so skiving is straightaway off the table. Why not go see the doc? He might suggest a flu jab, but you could as a minimum ask him for a sick certificate. At the cost of a few pounds, it would show that you were making all efforts to check that there are no underlying problems. Also, were trying to recover soonest with expert advice, so what more could you be expected to do? Keep wrapped up and keep your chin up Best, Mo

11-10-2005, 10:49	#7
pbirkett Briskodian Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,873 Members Car: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Glad to see some people on my side with the work thing, a lot of people clearly seem to think I am some kind of "wuss" for not going in, but thats their problem not mine. I think (and I've been through this before) some lifestyle changes are needed however, as I'm clearly pretty run down to be getting this many colds in such a short period of time. One of these days, I might actually get around to doing it!

11-10-2005, 12:18	#9
neilwilliams Techie Teacher Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Hertfordshire Posts: 957 Members Car: VW Golf TDI SE 5door Thanks: 2 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	A number of years ago I had colds every few weeks and they only stopped when I went on a school ski trip. Now that might seem a little expensive and extreme but once you've cleared this cold try going for a longish walk in a nice green space with fairly clean air as that could help a bit. __________________ Neil Williams History: Fabia 1.4 8v, Fabia 1.4 16v, Fabia vRS Now driving a Golf Mk5 tdi Teachers click HERE for free resources.

11-10-2005, 12:35	#10
spinndrift Briskodian Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Woking/Bolton Le Sands Posts: 6,642 Members Car: Roomster Thanks: 1 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts	I got a verbal warning and two written warnings for being signed off for 9 weeks after my car accident in August 2004. When I came back to work they asked if there was anything that they could do to help me out and I asked for an appointment with occupational health to see if I can have a better chair and a footrest etc to help my back. I got the appointment date sent to me yesterday morning over a year later - not very impressed. __________________ Rev. Andy The Rallying Reverend www.miniroadrunnerrallying.co.uk Engine data aquisition is fun

11-10-2005, 12:39	#11
*ncarring* Don't talk, drive! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The B roads of Britain Posts: 12,953 Members Car: 1983 Porsche 928S / 1972 MGB GT Thanks: 16 Thanked 94 Times in 77 Posts	Of course we're on your side. Get well soon. (I do recall a certain post about mind-altering substances though ... ) __________________ Nick North Wiltshire RoADAR

11-10-2005, 13:17	#12
jifster Briskodian Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: London & Hereford Posts: 540 Members Car: Black Magic Fabia vRS Thanks: 24 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	I was off 3 times in a couple of months with chest infections. Everytime I went back I was on night shift, 6 long nights in an overheated office with no air con on as they switch it off at night to save money. The temp rises to over 90 degrees. Everytime I went back my chest infection got worse. I ended up seeing private doctors and taking steroid inhailers for two months and am only just getting over it all and this all started in April. Additionally i'm only just recovering from a 'balance' problem that i've been told was due to the viral infection attacking my balance system to. Now it's coming to year end i'm starting to hear things like 'oh he has more sickness than all the other guys put together etc'..... At the time I really though I was gonna die, it was that bad. Makes me want to go 'postal' with a '45 sometimes. edit: not that I have a 45, I may have to settle for some 4 x 5 which could limit the damage somewhat. another edit: Oh, it also made me give up smoking, never a heavy smoker but not touched one since April, highly recommended if your thinking about it. __________________ jifster Black Magic Fabia v/RS with Forge Motorsport FMIC, Milltek exhaust system, Eibach springs & dampers, 312mm brakes, Cupra intake, Seat upper strut brace, Jabbasport rear ARB, Xenons, Cruise, Sunroof and ESP. Pioneer: DEH-P8600MP. Last edited by jifster; 11-10-2005 at 13:29.

11-10-2005, 15:33	#13
flatfourburble "Bones" Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Heathrow/Crewe Posts: 5,449 Members Car: Fabia vRS Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Every place is like this nowdays. I have people in the office that come in with terrible colds and pass it on to others, to be fair I've done it to as it's easier than the whole warning rubbish. Thing that bugs me is I wasn't ill for over a year (in the sense had time off) I went off this year with my back and another issue for 4 weeks and they got funny about it. To be fair I came back before I was ready as I was fed up of the hassle. Paul as for the colds and bugs you keep getting, change your diet. I used to be terrible with colds, and under weight. since being looked after by SWSBO I've been alot health due to the fact I eat better food. Alos have a good chat woth your old quake! __________________ Oh to have the internet back..................oh have I missed it

11-10-2005, 16:59	#16
Moose Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: I'm a monkey from outer space, woooooooo ahhhhhhhhh hehe hooohaa Posts: 4,938 Members Car: None Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts	My advice would be to go in and get sent home. Nowt they can do then. __________________ Sunlight Silver MX-5 1.8 Sport

11-10-2005, 17:19	#20
Moose Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: I'm a monkey from outer space, woooooooo ahhhhhhhhh hehe hooohaa Posts: 4,938 Members Car: None Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts	If you've gone in and they've said 'go home and get better', then thats all you need. __________________ Sunlight Silver MX-5 1.8 Sport

11-10-2005, 17:27	#22
tfboy C+ à Paris! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Tilehurst, Berkshire Posts: 6,325 Members Car: "Fake" Black Magic vRS Thanks: 21 Thanked 76 Times in 66 Posts	I really sympathise with you Paul. And like you, even whem I'm not on top, I'll go in. Sometimes, people will say "go home" and I will, but I don't like the idea of not going in if I can physically drive and have the mental awareness. If it's a cold / high fever, I'd stay at home though. I just go along the thought that 2 days at 0% productivity is less loss than 5 days at 20% productivity, and you don't run the risk of spreading whatever you have to others. Where SWMBO works, one of her colleagues has at least one Sick day on a Monday or a Friday every fortnight Now that on the other hand..... __________________ Xavier

11-10-2005, 17:59	#24
PussCat Briskodian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cheshire Posts: 2,161 Members Car: Octy TDi Thanks: 6 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts	interesting to read this today... espec as I don't think I'm going to go into work tomorrow! Work up this morning feeling rather ill - headache, shivers, sore throat, pukey - but went into work cos I'm an IT Trainer and I had no way of getting in touch with the people I was training today... if I hadn't gone in, they'd quite literally have been left standing out in the cold! I ran the course - but I don't feel they got their full money's worth outta me - hard to train when you're not 100%.... so I've told my boss I'm not going in tomorrow, cos I wanna try and shake whatever it is I've got. Thing is, I know when I go back in I'll have to have a return to work interview... cos I'll have been off 3 times in the space of 12 months.... bit naff realy when you consider that the other 2 times were due to Crohn's, which i can't do anything about! Hey ho. But - no point going in and spreading my germs to the people I'm training.... __________________ Cheers... Caz

13-10-2005, 22:11	#25
Chris GB Briskodian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: East UK Posts: 2,588 Members Car: Mini Cooper D Thanks: 18 Thanked 43 Times in 26 Posts	Hi If you are getting colds and infections a lot, it may be worth giving the puff a miss for a bit. When I used to indulge on a nightly basis, I was always picking up everything everone else had. When I went to occasional sessions, I got healthy quite quickly. Aparently, the stuff acts as an anti inflamatory and unfortunately supresses the immune response as part of this. Of cousre if you are using tobacco with it, you make the situation even worse (as well as taking the edge off the buzz). Chris PS get well soon.

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