Today, my director-level boss in the fin tech sector told us that all WFH is terminated and we should come to work even if we are sick, and enforce this with our team members.

10 Comments

1. AnonymousJanuary 6,2023 at 1:45AM UTC

   Come to work even if sick, and risk infecting colleagues, does not sound well thought out. Prior to the pandemic, was there no sick leave policy? Worth a discussion, and you’re likely not the only one troubled by such blanket statements. Should also have an exit plan.

2. AnonymousJanuary 6,2023 at 2:16AM UTC

   This is maddening in a way, but (and I know you're not in the service industry) a lot of workers are forced to do that in the service industry, just spreading sickness to customers and all. I know about natural immunity and firmly believe in it, however, it's like what the crap, a job cannot be that important! Not over one's health anyways. If you like your job, maybe you can talk with your boss and see if they can make an exception for you. You need to have a backup plan to their answer because they might say no. Talk to the daycare and see what your options are first. Then find other daycares that you'd like, just in case. Then go to the boss so you'll know what you are working with. Stay positive that it'll all work in your favor. Sending good vibes your way.....

3. AnonymousJanuary 6,2023 at 2:33AM UTC

   I think if your boss knows that you are working on a daycare solution she might give you until the end of the month. Just discuss your timing and let her know you will have it figured out soon

4. AnonymousJanuary 7,2023 at 2:45PM UTC

   Come to work when sick? What kind of hellish company is this? I'm sorry you have to deal with this, but it's time to get a new job.

5. AnonymousJanuary 7,2023 at 5:46PM UTC

   I don't even think this is legal. Forcing people to come to work with the flu, COVID, or RSV is a lawsuit waiting to happen if someone catches it and ends up in the hospital or worse. I wish I had an answer for what you should do, but I don't. I would only suggest, depending on your health [or your child's health], you return to in-person work, start looking for a new job, and hope for the best in the meantime.

6. AnonymousJanuary 7,2023 at 7:02PM UTC

   Was this followed up by an HR directive or other written policy? It may be helpful to know the exact terms as written & as compared with what your boss shared with the team. Of course, it's likely that this isn't what is shared in writing, in which case this is an unspoken policy that, if you keep properly documenting, should not be the reason for termination. Whether or not HR will back you up on this (or find another "reason" to fire you) , this is something within their purview to address. There may be accommodations that your boss didn't share that perhaps you & other parents in similar situations can leverage. Obviously, the underlying issue is that this type of expectation is exactly what the pandemic taught us to not do. Unfortunately, if this is a cultural thing at your company or expectation among your departments, which given the sector, sounds possible, I agree with the other comments that you should prepare for an exit plan too.

7. IntentionGirl299847January 7,2023 at 7:41PM UTC

   No job can force you or threaten you with termination because you are ill. While WFH is over, getting ill is not. Keep the email or text the boss sent you on this subject. That is proof when you go after unemployment or sue....just saying.

8. AnonymousJanuary 8,2023 at 1:38PM UTC

   My firm did the same thing, we were given only 2 fixed wfh days and we must go in 3 days. Except people still get sick, kids get sick, elderly parents get sick etc. The world is still not the same. Luckily even though my company has a global policy, we made side deals with my boss who is understanding and helps us during times of daycare closures or other personal situations. So I am not sure if there is something that can be worked out with your boss without having the larger company involved. But if all fails, maybe you can also take a look at work home accommodations - where during a time of disability or illness to you or your child your company has to provide reasonable work accommodations. During my last 3 months of pregnancy before Covid, I had to file for this with my HR and employer, it was a whole bunch of forms my doctor had to fill out and once it was submitted I got to work from home without any issues. Good luck!

9. AnonymousJanuary 8,2023 at 3:35PM UTC

   FMLA protects your job if you need to take time to care for yourself or a family member (your employer must employ at least 50 people at your location to be covered): https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fmla/faq

10. AnonymousJanuary 13,2023 at 6:08PM UTC

    I would start looking somewhere else. This sounds like a horrible company that does not care about its employees. To tell them to come when sick, get each other sick, their families sick, and then still have to work. That makes no sense. Productivity goes way down when people are sick, and sometimes you are either too sick to work or have to care for those that get sick because of bad policies like this one.

    Most daycares have a zero policy because it is there to protect everyone. The other children, the staff, and the families of everyone involved. I like daycares like that because otherwise the children are sick and bringing things home even more than usual, but all the time.

    Overall this company is not worth the health of you or your family. The stress it will bring to you is not great. I would start looking.