Seriously?? Coworker coming in sick!

Brianna0915 · September 2015

My coworker took this morning off because she was too sick to come in. She just showed up to work and she's sneezing and coughing up phlem (ew.) and going into the bathroom every 15 minutes. HELLO?!?!? Pregnant women over here! I'm so irate! First of all, you shouldn't expose anyone when you know your sick, especially pregnant women! Secondly, nobody wants to listen to her, it sounds absolutely disgusting and makes me want to Ralph everywhere. Ugh ugh ugh!!!

Sorry, I just needed to rant because I thought this was common sense!

SummerFall03 · September 2015

maybe she is in a position where she can't give up the hours?

Brianna0915 · September 2015

We get a lot of sick time here, and She's never called in

l4rk · September 2015

I dunno... if she's THAT sick and you get sick time, she must have a good reason for coming in. Nobody wants to be at work when they feel like trash. But if the sick days are paid, I would bring your concern up with a supervisor (not the pregnant one because it's not professional--the getting everyone sick one) and ask if she can be sent home.

Leah6120 · September 2015

I sat next to someone like that for a while.. she gave me the WORST viruses because she refused to call out. And same here we were provided more than enough sick time as well as the chance to work from home on occasion. I used to spray her cubicle with lysol every time she'd leave and wipe my own down several times a day plus hand sanitizer. I finally had to file a complaint because she was ALWAYS SICK so I was always sick.

ChrissyD1203 · September 2015

So I had this problem before I was pregnant. Usually I am really nice to people but I find this so inconsiderate (and disgusting). Whenever the person was nearby I would say something in earshot to another co-worker. I work at a law firm so there is no excuse why she couldn't work from home.

mrhargr · September 2015

Pretty much everyone I work with has the upper respiratory crap right now which sucks. There are only 6 of us though and when even 1 person calls in sick, it puts a lot of work on everyone else. If everyone that was sick called in, we would have 2 people working lol. Maybe she saw her doctor and they told her she wasn't contagious?

enkb · September 2015

Sorry this made you unhappy, I hope you avoid catching anything!

That being said, I struggle with it from the other side. I have worked places where people are always calling off sick, and its not like the job stops because so eone's gone, it puts alot of strain on everybody else to make up the difference. I now work retail and there is no way you can control customers coming in sick, its just a fact of life that you have to deal with. Is it really different from going out in public and coming in contact with germs on shopping carts, door knobs, at restaurants, etc?

starree444 · September 2015

I hope you don't catch anything, but you can expect everyone to change their lives because you're pregnant. I agree that if she was that sick she shouldn't have come in at all, no one should when they're sick. But expecting her to be more considerate about it because you're pregs, no.

ashhsa · September 2015

I would absolutely expect people to be more considerate about not exposing pregnant people to being sick?! I mean if you are that sick you shouldn't be at work exposing anyone to it!! Especially not pregnant people or anyone who is more vulnerable to illness ... If I were you I would say something to your coworker, politely.

jrouge12 · September 2015

Hand sanitizer, Lysol wipes, drink water all day and get lots of sleep. I work in a school. Sick people are everywhere.

maureenmce · September 2015

While I'm certainly sorry you're dealing with a sick person and hope you don't catch anything, many people don't even know that pregnant women are more susceptible to being sick, so it's not like a personal affront to you or anything. My boss is sick right now and I caught a cold from her at work on Friday, but... I mean, that's life? We work in a busy, stressful environment and she can't afford not to be in the office (not from a money sense, but from a things need to get done sense) unless she has a very serious illness. Cold and flu season is upon us! And back to school, for parents! So, we're going to be exposed to germs everywhere we go. Best thing is to just wash your hands frequently, have a bunch of vitamin c and get a flu shot.

UptownPearl · September 2015

Even though your coworker sounds like she should be home, a lot of us have jobs where we're exposed to tons of germs constantly (retail, restaurant jobs, schools, hospitals, banks, etc), and who knows what you're exposing yourself to when you enter a grocery store or a movie theater or your doctor's office. Just practice good hygiene and hope for the best!

Lljbean · September 2015

Man, if only I could have told my mental health clients I couldn't see them when I was pregnant. They were pretty much constantly sick because that happens a lot when you suffer with long term mental illnesses and living in a group home. Imagine how much it must suck for nurses, doctors, health care workers, retail workers/ waiters/waitresses that have to help sick customers, anyone really..... Germs. They are rrrrvrywhere. People need to keep on even when sick. Regardless of how many pregnant women might be around them at the time.

Calebsmom0318 · September 2015

It definitely sucks but unfortunately, there's no getting away from it unless you stay in your home. I work in a hospital which means germs EVERYWHERE! I haven't gotten a cold yet, knock on wood. I'm just careful to wash my hands and sanitize my office often. Good luck, hope you steer clear of the sickness!

katiedid0907 · September 2015

All you can do is lysol your workspace and phones and wash your hands frequently. I work in a profession where I really can't call off unless I am truly ill, so u am pretty used to this. In fact once you have a baby who is sick all the time, you will be the one who constantly has a cold and there just isn't much you can do about it.

emzy86 · September 2015

If you are going to get sick there's not much you can do about it. If you don't get sick from her, other children or germs in public places might get you sick. I agree, can't expect everyone else to change just because we are pregnant. I'm a nurse and I just practice good hand hygiene and hope for the best. I'm not at all upset with sick colleagues or patients around me. My job is to care for them, and I intend to do just that, contagious or not.
Of course if it was an illness that would harm the baby, I would take full precautions.

ChrissyD1203 · September 2015

I totally understand people in the health care industry have different opinions where their job is to care for the sick (you are all my heroes by the way), I also understand people who go in sick because they will lose their jobs otherwise or because the business literally can't run without them--- but for those of us who might not have as important jobs (like me) and can easily work remotely --- I still feel like it is ridiculous to go in when you are sick. I don't expect this as a pregnant person, I expect this as a member of a work community. Last year when one person came to work with the stomach bug, and subsequently 5 others in the office got sick (not to mention the family of those other 5 who got sick and subsequently had their school or professional lives affected).

enkb · September 2015

Again, sorry you are is a situation you find unpleasant, but it really seems a bit much that you get to be the deciding factor about how someone else chooses to use their sick time, how much money they do or don't need, or how important they think their job is.

While I certainly understand your feeling of wanting to make sure you do the very best for your baby, expecting other people to change so as to not expose you to illness is unreasonable. If you really feel that strongly about it, you should make the changes (wear a mask, stay in your house, immediately leave any situation where you see a sick person).

carlyhammond · September 2015

Not to start anything, this will be the only thing I post on this thread in this matter.. So flame me if you will...
This is what's wrong with today's society. Pregnant women are all high and mighty ( mind you I am pregnant and I may be being a little hypocritical while writing this). Women have been getting pregnant since the beginning of time, working out in fields until the baby starts crowning, walking miles as miles to get water for their families, or the ladies who are single and have no choice but to go to work to provide for their baby, themselves, or their family. The fact that you are upset because a coworker came into work sick, is a shame on you- your reasoning being "she should be more considerate to pregnant people" I really hope you are kidding. It does sound like the poor lady needs to be a home resting but you don't know her situation, she might not have a choice.
No one should have to make changes to their live beause you are pregnant. You don't like it? Maybe you should go home, go to the local store and pick up Lysol or whatever it is to make you feel safe, perhaps a plastic bubble?
Honey, it's flu and cold season get used to it. It's called fall/winter it's only going to get worse.
What's going to happen when your baby is born in the prime of January snow is all around and you get sick- are you going to call out of mommy duty so baby doesn't get sick?
Stop walking on eggshells, stop pretending like everything has to change because you are pregnant. Buy some Lysol, get a flu shot and get on with your life.

-mic drop-

ntyravgsp · September 2015

SummerFall03 · September 2015

carlyhammond said:

Not to start anything, this will be the only thing I post on this thread in this matter.. So flame me if you will... This is what's wrong with today's society. Pregnant women are all high and mighty ( mind you I am pregnant and I may be being a little hypocritical while writing this). Women have been getting pregnant since the beginning of time, working out in fields until the baby starts crowning, walking miles as miles to get water for their families, or the ladies who are single and have no choice but to go to work to provide for their baby, themselves, or their family. The fact that you are upset because a coworker came into work sick, is a shame on you- your reasoning being "she should be more considerate to pregnant people" I really hope you are kidding. It does sound like the poor lady needs to be a home resting but you don't know her situation, she might not have a choice. No one should have to make changes to their live beause you are pregnant. You don't like it? Maybe you should go home, go to the local store and pick up Lysol or whatever it is to make you feel safe, perhaps a plastic bubble? Honey, it's flu and cold season get used to it. It's called fall/winter it's only going to get worse. What's going to happen when your baby is born in the prime of January snow is all around and you get sick- are you going to call out of mommy duty so baby doesn't get sick? Stop walking on eggshells, stop pretending like everything has to change because you are pregnant. Buy some Lysol, get a flu shot and get on with your life. -mic drop-

You win the internet today. I agree with all of the above!

Krisdee123 · September 2015

djdawn29a · September 2015

I must just think differently, and that's ok. If I were going in sick with the flu I would b toting Kleenex, hand sanitizer, dayquil, cough drops etc..as a courtesy to my fellow team. Whether one was healthy, pregnant or had hiv.. And as I don't work in an office, I am a press mechanic working on heavy machinery, I still do this if I am sick. Maybe that's just me..

MollyA1011 · September 2015

Just wash your hands a lot. It's allergy season. At least in Illinois anyway! Lol but I'm sneezing all the time and blowing my nose constantly and so is my husband.... But neither of us are sick and I definitely can't call off for this. You're exposed to more germs at Wal Mart than that girl at work. I'd put money on it. Just be conscious and wash your hands and you'll be fine.

AlabamaWorley · September 2015

ChrissyD1203 said:
So I had this problem before I was pregnant. Usually I am really nice to people but I find this so inconsiderate (and disgusting). Whenever the person was nearby I would say something in earshot to another co-worker. I work at a law firm so there is no excuse why she couldn't work from home.

Right, because this is way more mature than showing up to work with the sniffles. It sounds like something a 17 year old would do.

ChrissyD1203 · September 2015

@AlabamaWorley sniffles are one thing, running out of meetings so you miss vomiting on the floor is completely different. Several people in my office got the stomach flu following this woman being sick - one went to the hospital for dehydration. I'm sure at least one of the elderly clients she was shaking hands with in the meeting that day probably caught it too. Honestly, I don't think any of the folks on here are talking about someone having sniffles.

ntyravgsp · September 2015

ChrissyD1203 said:
@AlabamaWorley sniffles are one thing, running out of meetings so you miss vomiting on the floor is completely different. Several people in my office got the stomach flu following this woman being sick - one went to the hospital for dehydration. I'm sure at least one of the elderly clients she was shaking hands with in the meeting that day probably caught it too. Honestly, I don't think any of the folks on here are talking about someone having sniffles.

I think the point @AlabamaWorley is making is that if you are that bothered by someone whom you think is sick enough they shouldn't be in office, it's more appropriate to just say something about it directly to them or to their supervisor than to talk about them to someone else and hope they overhear you and leave.

ChrissyD1203 · September 2015

@ntyravgsp agreed - could have been the bigger person there for sure and confronted her directly. Sometimes it's hard to give respect to those who aren't respectful of others, but you are right, not the best way to handle.

kirstyanna · September 2015

Must admit I was stuck in small space with another Co worker and she had an awful cold. I ended up with it and had to have time off was gutted I ended up sick but sometimes people can't afford to have time off work but they should be put out of the way of vulnerable people

inameenabeena · September 2015

So I've been sneezing and sniffling for the past five months thanks to pregnancy rhinitis. My husband has allergies, and is sneezing too. We probably look like a couple of sick people infecting everyone around us, but we're not contagious. You can't always know why someone seems sick.

Wait until you have your kid and get sick constantly. If you stayed at home whenever you were sick you'd basically never be at work all winter. You start following daycare rules--no fever, no vomiting, you're good.

LilyCovello23 · September 2015

I used to be in a job where sick days were paid but if you took more then three a year without some kind of medical issue (I mean an actually medical condition) you was fired.
I had no choice but to work one day with my pregnant manager who told me to come in WITH FLU or be sacked.
Then one occasion I had an operation and hospital signed two weeks off work note.
I got called in from a disciplinary meeting and had to prove even further I'd had an operation.
I took my discharge papers and everything in.
Couldn't believe it. Was personal as well and I had no choice but to tell or lose my job.

elackey1 · September 2015

I work in higher education, and while my student workers have been awesome in picking up slack, they have the tendency to spread sickness over and over. At one point last week, I heard 4 out of 6 workers in my office sneezing, coughing, hacking, etc. In a fit of hormone-induced, phlem-y rage, I said they were as bad as rats during the plague. One week later, and I'm sitting here with a chest cold. I also live in the rural South, and corn harvesting time has arrived with all its yellow-dust glory. Happy Fall, y'all.

A lot of people don't have the freedom to take off work when they don't feel good, whether it's financial or professional. Our general rule of thumb is if you're running a fever or vomiting, stay home. If I took off work every time I didn't feel good, I wouldn't have shown up the first 3 months of my pregnancy.

I have read that pregnant women are more likely to become sick, because our immune system is working overtime. Keep taking your vitamins, and make everything you eat full of vitamins, minerals and protein. Get plenty of rest and wash your hands. We're busy making our own little, lovable germ factories.

If it makes you feel any better, I had to blow my nose twice before I hit the post button below.

Brianna0915 · September 2015

So it's now been a few days since this was posted... This lady stood near my deck and coughed and sneezed until I had to politely ask her to leave, and even at that, she came back several times (we don't even get along very well, usually when she's bringing paperwork she drops it on my desk and walks away apparently not last week) I had to explain to her that because I'm pregnant I can't take medicine very much so I would appreciate it if she tried to keep her distance. Still didn't work. I was home sick the past two days throwing up just like she was. Today was my first day back and she giggled and said "I hope you didn't get that from me" talk about a pissed off pregnant women. By the way, it is now spreading through our office and everyone has had to take days off of work because she refused to. It's fine if you disagree with my way of thinking, but I am just bothered by how she has been acting. That was the point of my post. If you disagree that's totally fine, I am venting. That's it

ashhsa · September 2015

I totally find this rude. Can't believe she did that to you! Or anyone else in your office, so inconsiderate. Even when I'm not pregnant I have no tolerance for people who do not take the proper precautions to ensure others don't catch what they have, like STAYING home, I guess it's different as in Australia you are entitled to 10 payed sick days a year for a full time employee, 5 for part time. I'd be sooooo annoyed if a coworker chose not to use it...

Brianna0915 · September 2015

And she's now in the emergency room this morning because she's so sick. I'm not being dramatic. She was here (sick) yesterday. Exposing everyone in the office. And now she's so sick that she's in the hospital.

woahitszdtet · September 2015

Ive got a coworker doing the same thing! Came in with the flu, doesnt cover her mouth, and always likes to sit next to me. Like excuse me i cant take drugs! Go away

maureenmce · September 2015

I think a lot of people disagreed with the idea of like, oh my god, how dare a sick person come near ME a pregnant lady! Because interacting with sick people is just a fact of life, especially during cold and flu season. However, the behavior you outlined (her intentionally ignoring your polite request to keep her distance, even after you explained why) is obviously rude and, quite honestly, very abnormal. (Especially the giggling and "I hope you didn't get it from me" comment. Wtf???)

UptownPearl · September 2015

maureenmce said:
I think a lot of people disagreed with the idea of like, oh my god, how dare a sick person come near ME a pregnant lady! Because interacting with sick people is just a fact of life, especially during cold and flu season. However, the behavior you outlined (her intentionally ignoring your polite request to keep her distance, even after you explained why) is obviously rude and, quite honestly, very abnormal. (Especially the giggling and "I hope you didn't get it from me" comment. Wtf???)

Exactly. Avoiding germs is impossible so no one wanted you to stress out over being near a sick person since we all come in contact with sick germs regularly, but based on your co-worker's recent behavior towards you and seriously bad judgment on her part I would be pretty pissed too. I'm a nanny and have to take care of the kids even when they stay home from school sick, but if they get the flu this season while I'm pregnant I will have to seriously consider not coming in because that would be a disaster. I hope for your sake you were OCD about hand sanitizer and Lysol and don't catch whatever she has!

ETA I know that you are sick and I am sorry you are, that sucks, I just hope you don't end up with the severity of what she has and end up in the hospital too

ChrissyD1203 · September 2015

@Brianna0915 ---- exactly. The problem with saying some people have to come in when they are sick for professional or economic reasons, in my opinion is flawed, because likely other people in the office are in the same boat..... So the sick person comes in and now 6 other people are in the tough position of do they come in or stay home and get better but risk the consequences of not going in. I find this so incredibly selfish to put others in that position and get them sick. Again - I'm not talking about a cold or some sniffles --- fever, vomiting, those sorts of sick.

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