Should you be off work if you have a cold?

October 8, 2010

Google this question and, no surprises, you get a whole heap of conflicting responses and not one definitive answer! Yet, as I write this blog – from home – I can’t help feel its best I’m here rather than spreading my germs to my colleagues.

The personal benefits are: no make-up, no heels, no one to laugh at my red nose, no problems hiding/disposing of my spent tissues (of which there are hundreds), no driving and sneezing (which makes you close your eyes and that’s not good) and I can dip into my work when the Paracetamol kicks in and turn on daytime TV when the medication wears off and I’m not limited to 9 to 5.

The downside – the guilt – it’s only a cold, shouldn’t I struggle in? Won’t my colleagues appreciate me making the effort? I expect only if I don’t infect them. We work in a small office and when one of us is out, it puts pressure on the rest of the team who are already busy but if I’m not working effectively or make a mistake won’t that put more stress on my colleagues if they have to cover for me?

Not sure my fogged up brain can answer this; more pills required or is it time for more tea?

Tracey Daley