Flu question (relating to policy)

[The Straight Story]

It has been recommended that if you are sick, you stay home and don't risk infecting others.

Pretty common sense under even normal circumstances.

But if you do what is right for others in this way - should you also be punished by an employer (not getting paid, getting fired for missing work, etc and so on)?

What if you have sick days and used them, then get the flu?

While we have a choice where we work, we don't really have a choice not to work (unless you are wealthy and such) so do you think there should be some sort of national legislation to handle issues like this? Because missing work and getting fired and then losing all your possessions would certainly drive those who were really ill to go to work and try to tough it out instead of staying home.

From a public health perspective it would seem prudent to have some protections for employees built in (and to be fair, a way to make sure businesses don't suffer either).

What say you?

[Avalux]

1. Usually legislation happens in response to a need.

So if this is truly a pandemic and people are unable to work - maybe even quarantined for periods of time - there will probably be resulting legislation to address it. Unfortuately, doesn't help those in the here and now.

I suppose if you are too sick to go to work, go see your healthcare provider or go to the ER; especially if you have a fever. The flu isn't like a cold; it's systemic and you will feel as if you've been hit by a truck. Employers should not penalize people in such instances and I hope they won't.

[The Straight Story]

3. I hope they don't either, but we all know many will

Damned sad imho. Worker protection in this country leaves a lot to be desired.

[HereSince1628]

2. Remember the TV commercial for cold symptoms? You'll work with food in the grocery store

You know the commercial that has the Sargeant tumble into the picture?
The sick woman is working in a refrigerated food section of a store...with those virus ladden hands on the top of milk jugs.

Most grocers operate under the WalMart business model...show up or get fired.
People will show up to work ready to drop over. And as the Mexican case of the story (is it verified?) about the archiologist that met Obama, you can be ill at work one day and dead the next.

The "protestant work ethic" the US is so proud of works against controlling epidemics of person-to-person transmission.

[spin]

4. Well if your employer forces you to go to work...

make sure you infect him.