Companies involved directly with the public may be more careful about providing clear information about what “too sick to work” means in that organization.

However, and especially in the recent recession, people are not slackers—contrary to the stereotype. Jobs are not easy to get or keep. People do not want to take any chances with job security, tied to health plan coverage, in many cases.

The problem becomes circular. Without guidelines, what does it cost an organization to allow sick people to come to work and spread the germs? No way of knowing. Adults can catch something anywhere.

At the same time, the workplace is where most people spend much of their time—whether they are there in the daylight hours or they are night shift workers, who come in at moon-rise.

NPR

“Be honest. Who among you hasn’t gone to work when you really should have stayed home sick?

“We wondered who goes to work anyway and why, and the survey team at Thomson Reuters’ health unit agreed to help us find out.

“The bottom line: Nearly three-quarters of Americans said they went to work sick in the last year, according to a survey that queried more than 3,000 people early this month. ( Emphasis added)

“How come? Well, the reasons varied. About 1 in 5 said they weren’t sick enough to warrant staying home. But lost wages were also important — especially for folks who don’t make much. (Emphasis added)

“The top reason among all respondents — at 25 percent — was that staying home meant not being paid.”

Source: NPR, April 22, 2010

Source: Thomson Reuters, Health Unit Research, commissioned by NPR.