Most people take their work very seriously, and they try to avoid being absent from work as little as possible. Good employees understand how absenteeism negatively impacts their employer and puts unnecessary stress on their co-workers. For these reasons, there are many people that will drag themselves into work no matter how they feel - whether sick or healthy. One of the best reasons for employees missing a day of work is when they are sick. This is not only beneficial for the sick employee but for their co-workers as well. The following are some guidelines to help individuals know when calling in sick in the right thing to do.

Are You Too Sick to Work?

There are several questions that employees should ask themselves to help them determine if they are too sick to work. By considering these questions, employees can make up their mind whether it is best for them to give work a miss.

Will You Be Able to Carry Out Job Related Tasks?

The first thing they should consider is how well they will be able to perform job related tasks. It is a fact that anyone feeling ill is unable to perform their work tasks as effectively as when they are healthy. Working when sick could be counterproductive.

Do You Think You Are Contagious?

Employees should determine if they are contagious. During the first few days of an illness is when individuals are most contagious. If an individual has a fever, they are more contagious as well. When employees are contagious, they are more likely to spread viral or bacterial illnesses to their co-workers.

Does Your Body Need Rest?

Employees should ask themselves if resting will help them regain their health more quickly. Allowing the body to rest helps the body to heal. Taking a day or two to rest and let one's body fight the infection
may be the best medicine.

How Do Your Medications Affect You?

If the employee is taking medications, they should assess whether these medications affect their ability to think, work, and operate machinery. If these faculties are impaired in any way, it could be dangerous for the employee to even attempt to go to work.

While employers and co-workers appreciate an individual's drive and determination to work hard, there are times when it is better for everyone if the individual would simply miss a day of work. During cold and flu season, employees can protect themselves with the influenza vaccine. Flu vaccines can help employees ensure they do not have to miss work due to illnesses such as the flu.