Yes, I have hundreds of hours of sick leave and that is a result of being pretty healthy and being in position for a long time. Like most people I’m leery about using my sick leave as I want to go to work and get things done. Also, I don’t want to be the employee who’s always calling in sick. The thing is-I’ve earned this benefit and it doesn’t benefit anyone to come in coughing, feverish, and distracted. Which is what I do until I hit my threshold of feeling like sh$t. I am writing this post on Wednesday as I stay home from work sick as a dog. I tried to fight through it but I’ve been sick since last week after back to back conferences, travel, too little sleep, and a night in a cold and muddy corn maze being chased by people with chainsaws. I had planned on sticking it out until Friday when I’m taking a scheduled sick day for doctor’s appointments but, I just felt too crappy.
This leads me to a cultural observation: Americans are really afraid to call in sick. Afraid. Because there is a stigma with placing self first before the organization. But isn’t my staying home and getting healthy a good thing? I’ve earned my sick leave. Every time I’ve gone into the office sick there has been a ripple affect. Every time one of my colleagues would come in sick we would all get sick. In an atmosphere of job instability and fewer benefits people are forced to put work before self but I would argue that this isn’t a balanced way to approach work and health.
In the past 8 years I have had varying emotions when it comes to my job. Right now I’m really enjoying it and am working with an amazing team of people and clients. I appreciate a lot of things and one thing I am very appreciative of my sick leave benefit. I don’t take it for granted and am very grateful for being able to take time off when I’m ill. I am almost at the point where I will have accumulated the maximum number of sick hours and will be able to donate the extra hours to other people who work in my company(which is totally fine!)
I’ve lived in a couple of other countries and have friends living in other countries that have benefits that many Americans dream of. Those benefits include: tons of vacation time, sick leave, health insurance (don’t get me started!), maternity leave, and educational benefits. American employers seem to have the idea that paying too much, treating people well, and allowing people time with their family would have a detrimental affect on their work and the work place. I would argue that that argument is ridiculous. I have all of those benefits and would even be able to use all of my vacation time added on to unpaid maternity leave when I finally have a shortie. I am having a hard time with changing my job because the benefits are so good (and right now I really love and appreciate my colleagues and clients). Part of the reason my short/long-term goal is to be self-employed is that being self-employed will be the only way I will have the same level of work-life balance, etc. that I do now (obviously working hard as hell in either scenario).
Do you have a lot of sick leave? How many hours? Do you use it or are you nervous to?
Do you agree with the idea that Americans are nervous about using sick leave?
Stay healthy people!
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I just left my job as taking any time off was looked down upon. I haven’t taken a sick day in two years. I worked for a small company and if someone called out it put a lot of pressure on others. It got to the point where trying to schedule doctors appointments around work was getting ridiculous. My parents and boyfriend were telling me I need to put myself first. I do think a decent amount of people in America feel similarly, and it’s sad. I hope you feel better!
I cannot believe you didn’t take a sick day in two years! I am sure you got sick during that time. I think in most businesses there is the unspoken idea that you shouldn’t miss work for the following reasons: illness, kids, etc. I am fortunate that I work for an organization that provides great benefits and I’ve never been given a hard time for taking time off. That being said…I’m still a little on edge when I do it. Finally, I’m feeling better!
Based on my experience, there are two types of people when it comes to sick time. Those (who like you and me) rarely take sick time and try to push through the sickness because we want to appear to be dedicated to the organization) and those who use every sick day they are given because they feel like it “belongs” to them. I think there needs to be more of a happy medium when it comes to sick time- take the time when you need it so you don’t feel bad and make others sick, but don’t abuse the time just because it’s offered- if you aren’t really sick.
I know people who are obviously are taking advantage of their leave and it’s really irritating. At the same time I always pipe up when people are coming into the office sic and infecting me with their germs. I am by no means a germ-a-phobe but I am getting sick a lot and it coincides with people coming in and coughing all over me!
When I worked full time I was really good about only use sick time if I really needed it. There ARE this couple people who seem to take advantage of sick time and leave everyone else in a pinch, but I’d rather a person stay home if they were sick. Of course I get no sick time now. My boss is evil. lol!
Your boss is so mean! LOL! I hate leaving people in the lurch and I don’t want to be “that girl” The one who is always late, etc. This time I was out twice last week and honestly I needed it. I felt like crap! I’m going on my third week of coughing and finally have rested enough to start recovering.