Taking sick days
Posted Oct 2, 2011 05:24:58 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Workers under the age of 30 are twice more likely than those over 55 to take the day off work when suffering from a cold, flu or allergies, according to a recent survey.
Those under 30 are also more likely to take the day off when feeling tired or stressed while workers over 55 felt these were not valid reasons to make the call.
Brenda Miller, Manager of Health Protection & Infectious Disease Prevention & Control for the Region of Waterloo Public Health told 570’s Gary Doyle show that if you’re showing symptoms, you may want to do your co-workers a favour and stay at home.
“If you are coughing, sneezing, running a fever or having diarrhoea those are all indications that something is going on in your body and you are probably infectious,” Miller said.
Miller adds there is a difference between a mild cold and serious illness, but for those stubborn workers it’s okay to give yourself permission to take the day off to heal.
“When your symptoms are severe it means that you need to be at home having some rest, looking at how you can reduce your fever.”
Contaminating the office not only posses a small threat to the average person, but could have major affect on those suffering from underlying health issues.
Miller stresses that if you do go to work with any symptoms, it’s important to pay close attention to your hand hygiene.
