NEWS BLOG (WSAU) “Welcome to the retirement dinner for James Alwaysthere. He’s worked for the company for the last 40 years, and has never taken a sick day. Day after day, James was always at his desk – sure as the sun rises each morning. Even when he wasn’t feeling is best, James soldiered on.”

Truth is, over his career James came into work many times when he was carrying a cold, or the flu, and made dozens of his co-workers sick. We admire hard work and perseverance when we’re not feeling our best. But should we really be giving out laurels when one sick employee can infect an entire department. James’ stick-to-it-ness could have led to dozens, maybe hundreds, of co-worker sick days over the course of his career.

Companies and schools should re-think perfect attendance awards. When someone’s sick, especially when they’re contagious, it’s more admirable for them to stay home.

At the radio station, many of us work in small broadcast studios. We touch the same equipment and talk into the same microphones. We try our hardest to wash hands, wipe down surfaces and spray disinfectant… and we’ve still had some illness this winter.

The flu season is bad this year. You can have it for 2-3 days before you have symptoms, and during that time you’re spreading the virus. Once you’re sick, please, do all of us a favor and take the day off.

Chris Conley
1.14.13