I’m sick.
Like the intermittent chills, sore throat, stuffy nose, no energy-type of sick.
I started feeling off Wednesday afternoon, while still in the office.
I turned to a colleague and said “I think I’m getting sick.” They told me another teammate—who I had met with in person for an hour on Monday—was working at home that day and sounded terrible. Oy vey.
Thanks, RTO.
By Thursday morning, all I really wanted to do was curl up in bed and sleep. But did I do that?
Nope.
I parked my ass on the couch, laptop on my actual lap, and worked away for the next 9 or so hours. I barely moved, but I did move many of my meetings (hard to summon up the energy to talk, or think) to next week, because … priorities. 🙄
Given how terribly I clearly felt, my girlfriend noted her surprise that I didn’t tap out by early afternoon.
Not me. I’m hardy, and besides … I’m a manager at Amazon.
The work literally never ends. If I take time off when I’m sick, I would just be that much further behind when I returned to work!
Or maybe … I’m not hardy, but foolhardy instead.
I’m a manager. What would I tell a team member to do, if they were sick? (Spoiler alert: 100% of the time I would say “take care of yourself, the work will wait.”)
What message am I sending my team—do as I say, but not as I do? Or maybe this: even though I’m telling you to prioritize your health, it’s not really safe to do so … because I don’t.
Why do we glorify work at all costs in our society?
We work on vacation. We work while sick. We take a PTO day to move, and still check email and respond to Slack messages (just me?).
We can do better.
The next time you’re sick, stay home. Sleep. Binge watch the new season of Bad Sisters. Wallow in your sickness. Do whatever the f**k you want—except work.
You’re sick, and you deserve take care of yourself first.
The work will wait.
Are you a “work from home while sick” person, or do you unplug from work when you’re out sick? Leave a comment and let me know!
Sigh. Me. Went to Thanksgiving in VA so proud for not bringing my laptop. Be present. One of my uncles brought a side dish of COVID and I ended up in a hotel in quarantine near the Reagan airport. Aha!! WAS17 around the corner. I can get a laptop. Which I did. You’re right. Not the message I want to send. Good reminder.