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I’ve begun feeling leaves crunch under my feet and am indulging in pumpkin spice lattes more and more over the last few weeks, which can only mean the start of fall—and cold and flu season.
So, now is the time to start sending those memos reminding employees to get their flu shots and also to stay home when they’re sick.
Yes, I know the economy is still quite fragile—meaning workers are more likely to grin and bear it when they’re ill rather than call in sick, out of fear of appearing less than committed to their jobs.
These same show-must-go-on workers may have seen a recent viral video that showed pop star Justin Bieber puking on stage, then returning just moments later to continue his concert. “If Bieber can do it, so can I,” these employees might think.
However, health experts remind, the Bieb is not a role model for workplace wellness. Although in this still fragile economy, some the-show-must-go-on employees might still come to work when they’re sick for fear of appearing less committed than their peers if they stay home.
But this is where strong management and a health-first company culture comes in, health and workplace management pros say. “You definitely are doing a disservice to your employees by coming to work sick,” Rachel Wagner, a corporate etiquette expert and consultant tells NBC News.com. “Nobody wants to get sick from somebody else and when you’re throwing up, obviously, it’s usually something that can be passed along.”
So, how to handle a puking peer? “I believe sometimes you just have to be upfront,” Wagner says. “If it’s a peer (then) you can say, ‘Bill, I’m so sorry that you’re not feeling well. You should probably just go on home and get some rest because you don’t want everybody else to get sick.’”
If that doesn’t work, Wagner advises approaching the coworker’s supervisor to intervene.
However, workplace trainer Jim Webber suggests invoking the workplace version of the “golden rule,” so to speak: “I don’t think anybody would argue with me: There is a rule that says, ‘Don’t hurl on your teammates.’ I think most people would agree with it.”
How do you handle an employee who comes to work visibly ill? Share your thoughts in the comments.
I’ve begun feeling leaves crunch under my feet and am indulging in pumpkin spice lattes more and more over the last few weeks, which can only mean the start of fall — and cold and flu season.
So, now is the time to start sending those memos reminding employees to get their flu shots and also to stay home when they’re sick.
Yes, I know the economy is still quite fragile — meaning workers are more likely to grin and bear it when they’re ill rather than call in sick, out of fear of appearing less than committed to their jobs.
These same show-must-go-on workers may have seen a recent viral video that showed pop star Justin Bieber puking on stage, then returning just moments later to continue his concert. “If Bieber can do it, so can I,” these employees might think.
However, health experts remind, the Bieb is not a role model for workplace wellness.
This is where strong management and a health-first company culture comes in, health and workplace management pros say. “You definitely are doing a disservice to your employees by coming to work sick,” Rachel Wagner, a corporate etiquette expert and consultant tells NBC News.com. “Nobody wants to get sick from somebody else and when you’re throwing up, obviously, it’s usually something that can be passed along.”
So, how to handle a puking peer? “I believe sometimes you just have to be upfront,” Wagner says. “If it’s a peer (then) you can say, ‘Bill, I’m so sorry that you’re not feeling well. You should probably just go on home and get some rest because you don’t want everybody else to get sick.’”
If that doesn’t work, Wagner advises approaching the coworker’s supervisor to intervene.
However, workplace trainer Jim Webber suggests invoking the workplace version of the “golden rule,” so to speak: “I don’t think anybody would argue with me: There is a rule that says, ‘Don’t hurl on your teammates.’ I think most people would agree with it,” he tells the site.
How do you handle an employee who comes to work visibly ill? Share your thoughts in the comments.
