Would I be a bad person for going into work sick?

[Anonymous]

Last Friday I had a stuffy nose, and watery eyes. I work for a commercial cleaning company and I work with an autistic man. We drive around from site to site and clean. Last Friday I woke up with a stuffy nose and watery eyes. I called my supervisor and told her I'm sick and can't come to work. She said that she'll have to work Saturday to cover for me. My co worker and I are the only ones that clean in our town. My supervisor lives in a town 30 mins away. I just went into work because I didn't want her to have to cover for me on top of everything else she does. I felt better right when I got to work. Well, on Tuesday my co worker got sick and lost his voice, so he called in sick and I covered for him. He came to work the next day because he was feeling better. He still had a raspy voice and he was coughing a little. I was around him for the rest of the week, and felt fine, so I thought I was out of the woods, but I woke up this morning with a runny nose and sore throat. If I'm still sick Monday, then I was gonna call in sick. That means my supervisor would have to cover for me. It would add a lot of pressure to her. I was thinking of just going in and wearing a mask. Would it be wrong if I did that, or should I stay home no matter what?

[Oliverlogan263]

Man, that's definitely a tough call. On the one hand, I get not wanting to rock the boat and leave your boss high and dry when she's already stressed. But at the same time, you gotta make sure you don't spread your germs to your coworker either, especially since he's immunocompromised.

Here's what I'd do - I'd shoot your boss a text over the weekend and give her a heads up you might still be under the weather on Monday. Say you've been coughing and have a sore throat but will check in with her before your shift to let her know how you're feeling.

That way she has a little warning just in case, but also isn't totally screwed if you do end up being contagious still. And if by Monday morning you're doing better, wear a mask anyway as an extra precaution around your coworker.

I know it sucks putting more on her plate, but better safe than sorry with people's health, ya know? At least this way she has time to figure out a backup plan if needed. If you start feeling worse though, no question - don't force it, rest up! Your body will thank you, Bro. Just my two cents!

[SolitarySolace]

Usually if I’m not feeling well I try to tough it out and get through the day. Unless I’m vomiting my guts out and can’t physically make it into work I’d call in. Luckily I don’t often have to call in so I get to use my sick time as paid personal time off

[Superreader]

Your symptoms sound like they could just be allergies. Have you been able to rule that out?
I think a weekend’s rest should be fine. It would be considerate to wear a mask, but if you have a cold it will be almost gone by then. Unless you feel extreme fatigue or other symptoms are making you think, by Sunday evening, you should call out again, you should be good.

[rosemilk]

i wouldn't want anyone that was sick cleaning my house or office or wherever you clean. it's always a domino effect, as you can see with your coworker getting sick. please stay home if you're sick, always. don't worry about your supervisor "feeling pressured" because she has to cover you. she gets paid more than you, she'll be fine.

[Anonymous]

Yes, you would.