Not sure if it's just me...

Anonymous

April 21,2022 at 12:44PM UTC

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Not sure if it's just me...

It seemed like one thing the pandemic taught us was that you shouldn't go to work sick and for awhile, companies (at least mine) seemed to have no issues with needing to take sick time (COVID-related or not). Feels like over the course of this year, that mentality has shifted back to the old ways - managers complaining that someone was out sick is leading people to not take much needed sick days or to agree to work remotely while they are home sick.

Am I the only one experiencing this? I don't even know how to address it. I feel so much more guilty now than I ever had before whenever I need to take a sick day for either necessary doctors' appointments or because I'm legitimately too sick to drive or work.

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AnonymousApril 21,2022 at 1:25PM UTC
I was really hoping that the mentality of "if I am sick I should stay home" would stay...I mean I don't particularly want anyone's sickness even if its "just a cold"
My department has been pretty good about allowing people to work from home if they are sick and don't feel the need to take a full day off but I know a lot of other departments are not. I think it helps that we don't have to delegate our work to other people in the office when we take time off.
Personally, I find it hard to take sick days sometimes when "its just a cold" because I get a limited number of sick days. What if a day does come up where I am too sick to drive into work or have to go to the doctor I would rather have it for that. I feel like I am always having to weigh my choices...I am grateful my office still allows work from home for those situations but I don't know how long it will last.
AnonymousApril 21,2022 at 4:15PM UTC
I think part of this is due to companies being short staffed. Whether due to their need to cut costs or not being able to back fill open positions.
Everyone is being pressured to over deliver results so if someone is out sick it is felt in an extreme way.
I feel everyone's extreme anxiety much more now than before the pandemic. The mental health if our workforce in the US is horrible right now. It seems any deviation from the daily race is felt with force.
As for my selfcare, I learned from the pandemic that I am responsible for my health. Period. End of story. So I will not jeopardize my health in the slightest for my job. I have shifted my guilt reserves to zero. I take really good care if myself.....to the point of pride. I want to live a long and healthy life.
So if my company doesn't support my priority of health I will leave. The great thing about the job market is that there are plenty of opportunities.