Remember those days when we all used to work in an office? There were plenty of things we don’t miss about that life—like the forced chit-chat, the bizarre smells wafting from the break room microwave, and sharing restrooms with colleagues.
But you know what I do miss? Sick days. Sure, employers still offer sick leave, but when you’re working from home, it’s easy to think, “What’s the harm in checking emails while I’m feeling terrible?” Or maybe you’ve joined a conference call while battling a migraine.
According to Axios, two-thirds of Americans hesitate to take sick leave for minor ailments like sore throats or colds when working remotely. Even worse, 70% admitted to working while sick during the pandemic. Why do we do this? And what happens when we brush off our health too often?
Neglecting to take sick days can lead to prolonged illness and eventual burnout, which can take a lot longer to recover from. Think of your energy like a phone battery. If you only recharge it to 75%, it drains faster and can’t reach a full charge later. Our emotional, mental, and physical health operates in a similar way.
Presenteeism Is a Real Issue
What many of us do isn’t just a strong work ethic; it’s called presenteeism. You might not recognize the term, but you likely know the feeling. Presenteeism refers to the lost productivity that occurs when employees aren’t fully operational due to illness or other issues. Raise your hand if you’ve ever done this. (Yep, my hand is way up too.)
So why do we push through when we’re not at our best? It often comes down to company culture. A workplace that genuinely supports the emotional, mental, and physical well-being of its employees is crucial. It’s not enough to slap a “we care about your health” statement on the company website and then ignore it. If you want your team to excel, let them rest when they’re not feeling well.
Additionally, society needs to ditch the idea that remote work means being available around the clock. The shift to working from home has, for many, resulted in higher expectations, and some employers use this as an excuse to bypass sick days altogether.
Recently, I took time off for mental health and burnout. Just before that, I had to stay home because my child brought COVID home from school. I typically avoid calling in sick, so as I lay in bed feeling miserable with congestion and body aches, I couldn’t help but wonder why I hadn’t taken a break sooner. Out of the blue, work messages started flooding my phone. I found myself logging back into my computer multiple times that first day off. They even asked me to join phone calls, which I declined because I was too under the weather. Yet, the expectation was there.
Mental Health Matters Too
These days, mental health is often discussed, but workplace conversations still have a long way to go. Taking time off for mental health is just as valid as calling in for a physical ailment. Mental health is health, period. If you feel the weight of burnout—whether physical, mental, or both—don’t wait until you hit rock bottom. Sure, recovery from burnout is possible, but it’s a much tougher road if you ignore your limits.
At the end of the day, businesses need to get work done to thrive. But overworking employees won’t boost productivity. If employees aren’t functioning at their best, the job won’t get done, and that impacts the business’s bottom line.
Ultimately, you risk losing your team members, which leads to lost productivity as you go through the time-consuming process of recruiting and training new hires. Employers, don’t look down on your team for taking sick days, even if they’re working remotely. Don’t bombard them with emails during their time off. And employees, remember to prioritize your health. If you’re unwell, nobody wins. At the end of the day, your health matters more than any paycheck.
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Summary
Taking sick days is crucial, especially for remote workers who might feel pressure to stay connected even when unwell. Prioritizing health—both mental and physical—is essential for long-term productivity and well-being. Companies should foster a culture that respects time off when employees are sick.
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