How sick do you have to be before you call in sick?

A slight deviation from what you normally feel is already considered sickness. Even if a slight, tolerable fever is already considered sickness. It might get worse or it might get better, we never know, but, if you don't take a rest, for sure it will get worse. A person is very sensitive when he/she is not feeling well and can hardly concentrate on what he is doing. I agree with you on every aspect, a sick person should automatically take a day off when not feeling well.

I think that many people refuse to call in sick because they worry that it might affect their position at work, which is admirable, in a way. The problem is that most companies would rather you not come in if you're sick because you risk infecting other people and creating a more serious problem than one person not making it in to work. I also think that financial matters being what they are and with many companies not offering sick leave now that many people simply can't afford to miss work. For me, when I am working, I tend to go by whether or not I feel that I can affectively do my job. I know that when I get sick, I tend toward being excessively tired and lethargic. If I have digestive problems, such as diarrhea, then I tend to not be able to concentrate on what I'm doing. These things affect my ability to do my job affectively and I won't work when I feel like that. I just feel that it's in the best interest of all concerned that I not be there if I'm ill. I can always make up time if I'm able, but I can't go back and fix a poor performance on the job.

Sick. If I am sniffling and sneezing all over the place, if I have a fever, not only I might be spreading it all over the place but my work might not come out at its best either, as you say. Also people often tend to forget to take care of them when they're sick. They go to work, do whatever they usually do and then take longer to get better and might even have to take more than just one day sick. Better take care of it right away, and avoid that too.

I understand how you feel about this. It drives me completely crazy. I know this girl i worked with called off constantly, even when she wasnt sick. So then she used all her days up and HAD to come to work even when she was sick. I really wish people would think of others and would NOT come to work when they are sick. They really need to have more respect for the other people that they work with.

I'm rather sickly and call in sick almost once month. I don't like going to work sick since being sick can definitely affect my performance in work which is unacceptable for me. I'd rather stay home and rest than go to work wishing I didn't. Besides, I work with kids and my conscience can't handle spreading my sickness to them.

I have to either be throwing up or passing out to not go to school. I know that's not really a JOB, but I hate makeup work.

Till I could hear the voice of the Gabriel from a safe distance.

I usually go to work even when sick cause I really can't afford not to and I don't get sick time. The only way I won't go is when I have the body aches where I feel like I can't even move and all I want to do is sleep. That only gets me about once a year thankfully.

Taking a day off work when you are feeling sick and lousy is really wonderful. But, we did not have that luxury inspite of a days casual leave per month. I never heard of a sick leave when I was working at that college. Even when my Mom was sick and had to be hospitalised, that nun, the pricipal of the college would not give me leave. If any of us were taken ill at work, we would be asked to visit the doctor and report for work after a few hours. So, after going through all this, your post sounds kind to me. :)

It is good to know if you are not feeling well and not go to your work so that any virus will not be spread. There is a sick leave in offices why not grab it if you really feel sick.

i totally agree with you.where i work ,when one gets sick it usually spreads through the rest of us.so our work is doubled and then the rest of us get sick from exhaustion.i know i now call in sick when i know i honestly know that i am no benefit to anyone,or can pass anything on.

I believe the reluctance has something do to with the terms and policies with each individual workplace. I had worked in an office where you didn't get sick days. I made $9.00 and was offered overtime. I was lucky to have the over time to make up for the days that I missed, but the main policy was if you are going to be ill, you need to report it a week ahead of time or they gave you points. I thought that was rediculous--"HMMM, I think I am going to catch the flu in a month, so I will call in now." We worked in close quarters and carried around LYSOL cans just in case. I raise four kids by myself and on occasion one of them get sick. I couldn't take off for that either without accumulating points. The kicker was that the insurance was only for medical, not prescription, eyes or hospitalization. No sick days, and limited FMLA. I am from Ohio, if that helps.

No one should be reluctant - a boss shouldn't organise working schedules so you are vital to the day running smoothly, and like others have said - not resting could make it worse and you could well spread it to others, which is only going to be worse in the long run!