That is the Question

To call in sick, or not to call in sick... that is the question.  Inevitably, this is the dilemma that thousands of respiratory therapists across the country confront themselves with every day at this time of year.  Just as hospitals everywhere fill with sick patients, the communities at large are not the only ones feeling the wrath of bronchitis, pneumonia, or influenza.  At risk by no fault of their own, employees are exposed to occupational hazards associated with poor hand washing technique and the inhalation of exhaled aerosol particles.  RTs are finding themselves in the position of the patient as much or more so than they do of caregiver.

So what's a therapist to do?  Do they burn precious sick-time by calling in with the hope that an extra day or two off will do the trick?  Do they go into work anyways out of loyalty to their patients and co-workers; not really feeling well enough to go to work, but doing so anyway?

As a manager, it's a loaded question.  On one hand, you need clinicians to care for patients.  Without appropriate staffing, treatments get missed, and the quality of care is compromised.  If employees stay home, vacancies typically get filled with agency, temporary or overtime staffing - all of which hit the bottom line of the organization hard.  On the other hand, when employees come to work when the really shouldn't, they're less productive and expose others to their illness.  Not only do their co-workers suffer, but so to do their patients.  Doing so allows this vicious cycle to continue.

Publicly, managers would never suggest that sick employees should come to work.  Deep down however, in the darkest part of their souls, while they look at themselves in the mirror or while they lay quietly in bed at night, many secretly hope this not to be the case.  While this is human nature for some, the sad truth is that the long term negative effects will typically exceed any short term benefits.

From where I sit, it's not "to call in sick or not to call in sick" that is the question, but rather when you do decide to call in sick, how much advance warning do you provide your employer with?  Is it 16-hours?  Enough time to easily find additional coverage, or do you stick it out as long as you can, hoping that you'll feel better before you have to report to work?  Doing so limits management's ability to supplement staffing by calling off at the last minute.  That my friend is the question... and an answer that has limitless answers and philosophical solutions.

What's your answer to this dilemma?  Weigh in on the subject and give your thoughts.  In my mind, the answer is clear... stay home!  Thanks large in part to hospital employees who should have stayed home from work, I too was the recipient of a viral infection of which I'm still feeling the effects of... almost 2-weeks later.  Or maybe it was the first grader who blew snot bubbles all over my daughter during art class!