Have you ever had someone act rude because you're sick???
By breepeace
@breepeace (3014)
Canada
October 29, 2007 12:32pm CST
I was at work today, against my better judgement... I came down with a horrible cold on Saturday, but I don't get paid for sick days and I had to take a day off last week for back problems. My customer remarked when we got to the job that 'someone probably should have stayed home today' and from that point on, kept remarking to my coworkers that I sounded 'gross' and that I shouldn't be working. To me, he was a complete JERK. He kept criticizing my work all morning! Then he had the nerve to tell my one coworker that I was doing the job 'all wrong' and that he should call up the company and complain about me. I've never had a customer complaint, and I've never been told I'm not doing the job right by anyone. It was like he developed an instant hate-on for me simply because I showed up at his house feeling under the weather.
And to boot.. it's my bloody birthday today!
Needless to say, I left work early because it's hard enough working when you're ill, but being criticized for doing a job that I was doing perfectly fine, and then to have it all happen on the one day of the year that should be a good day for you? Forget it.. no one needs that abuse.
So have you ever had anyone be rude to you purely because you were ill or not feeling well?
2 people like this
6 responses
@Lindalinda (4111)
• Canada
30 Oct 07
Ah, I am so sorry you were sick on your birthday and had to work as well. Happy birthday anyway!
I think your customer was annoyed because you showed up at work with a cold. He was probably afraid that everyone else including himself would catch it also.
When I was working and a supervisor I would always ask people with horrible colds to please go home. In our case they would be paid for the day. If I did not send the sick person home the whole group would be upset and sure enough a few of them would also come down with the cold. I know it would be doubly hard to be sick and having to work because there is no sick pay but in the long run it is also better for the sick person to take the day off since the cold could turn into flu and would even require more days off work. A day's rest in bed with plenty of fluids, herbal teas, juices etc. and a cold medicine will do wonders. Hope you are feeling better soon.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
31 Oct 07
I never had that happen to me when I was ill, but I had people be rude to me when I was not exactly myself, although I have never been in the same situation as you but then I have never been in customer relations. He was being uncouth and very sarcastic. I guess there are some people who pick on people when they are at their weakest.
I did have a friend who always criticized me, which led me to when ever my husband came in the kitchen to open the fridge to get some milk, I went out. It was not that I was afraid of him, but that so-called friend of mine who criticized me so much screwed me up so badly, that I am even afraid my husband, who is one of the nicest men on earth, would lay into me.
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
29 Oct 07
Ugh...yes I have! Yesterday my s/o's father was in a lousy mood and actually moved the couch while I was sleeping on it. He was mad that I was asleep I guess. I couldn't help it though, I was sick and feverish and my chest hurt. Another time was 5 years ago when I worked ata restaurant. I showed up even though I knew I was sick but my boss sent me home. The next day I had off and took my kids to get pumpkins (one of those if Ididn't do it no one would kind of deals) the next day I was throwing up and had to call in sick a work. Somehow they found out where I was on my day off and acused me of faking being sick. I ended up quitting.
@eachen2002 (889)
• United States
30 Oct 07
Maybe that person wasn't feeling well either.Alot of times it doesn't really have anything to do with your per say as much as it is with them.
@annaclaudia (30)
• Italy
30 Oct 07
fortunately no, because i live among people who love good manners