by Beverly Bochenek

Created on: May 22, 2009   Last Updated: May 29, 2009

Loyalty and reliability are hallmarks of every office environment and even though sick days may be part of your benefits package, taking one is often frowned upon. We have some contradictory policies. On the one hand, there are companies that offer sick days - days you are able to call in sick and still be paid. On the other hand, those days offered as part of the benefits, can count against you when review time comes up and your attendance is less than perfect. On the one hand, the days are there to take. On the other, take them at your own risk when it comes to getting a promotion or a raise.

So the solution seems to be that you come to work sick. It certainly shows the loyalty, but depending upon how sick you actually are, the reliability of your entire company or department may be at risk from germs hopping around the office and making everyone sick. You obviously cannot do the job if you are not there, however, you cannot do the job and risk impacting the jobs other do when you come in at a time when you should not.

There are certain guidelines you can follow to make sure that when you take a day off it's because not coming into the office benefits you and those around you:

1. Can they catch it?

Measles, Shingles, a truly bad flu strain. If you go to the doctor, ask him/her about the chances of you spreading this around the office environment. Also ask about the chances you've picked it up from the office. If someone there made you ill, you shouldn't return the favor by spreading it on to someone else and you should alert the office of the bug going around and make yourself scarce until your incubation period has passed.

2. Are you a distraction?

It might be noble to come in with a cast on your leg and sit regally at your desk and work. But if you're oozing, sniffling, sneezing, coughing or some other unattractive thing, not only are you risking the well being of everyone else in the office, you're probably grossing them out too. That stuff is better done at home where the dog won't care what you look or sound like.

3. Can you function?

You are not doing the workplace world any favors if you're sitting at your desk not working. If you show up at work it is an unwritten agreement that you are able to function in the manner expected. If you are running a fever that has your head in a fog or if you're going to be in the bathroom every five minutes, you will have an impact on your expected contribution for the day. Better to stay at home and come back

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