How to deal with a coworker who's ALWAYS sick?

[miSsxhuStLer]

Just like the title says, I have a coworker who is always sick. I'm not exaggerating at all...for the past 1.5 years that she's been here, she will get a really bad cold that will last 2-3 weeks, get better for a week or two, get sick again and the cycle repeats itself. I don't understand how it's possible for someone to get sick so often and unfortunately it's really hard to feel sorry for someone when they are always like this.

What bothers me the most is that she insists on coming into work, even though she's literally hacking her lungs out. She's not very sanitary about it either. She'll cough all over her desk and whatever paperwork she's working on, without at least covering her mouth first. What's worse is she'll cough and then spit stuff into her trash can I've seen her do this countless times and I think it's disgusting and unfair for those who sit around her. My department sits in a very large room, in cubicles where the walls are really low. Lucky me, I get to sit across from her. There is a walkway between us, but the space probably isn't more than 10 feet. She's gotten several people in my department sick before, including myself.

I work in Accounting, so things are usually pretty busy for us. I understand we all have deadlines, but I don't see why she can't take a few days off, rest at home and then come back to work when she's feeling better, rather than spreading her germs everywhere. It's also pretty bothersome and distracting to hear someone coughing and clearing their throat every 30 seconds.

Sorry for venting, but it's just such frustrating situation and I don't feel like I can do anything about it. I'd love to hear any advice, especially those who work in management or HR. Do I even have a right to complain about something like this? How would you deal with this situation?

(I wish they could just move her desk down to the basement, but I know that won't happen )

[tatu_002]

I have no experience in jobs whatsoever, but this is really bad especially now that we have cases of H1N1 going around.

at my university they tell us not to come to class if we feel that we have the flu, the normal flu not the H1N1.

So I guess you 'can' complain about this, especially at these times.
I really dont know what to advice you, hopefully someone who really knows what to do can tell you.
I am commenting here because I hate it when you get stuck with someone who is sick. I know it sounds rude, but we have to take care of ourselves.

oh and do others complain about her in work as well? if they do then you all should complain to someone higher about her...

[redney]

I think it is within your rights as an employee to discuss this issue with your supervisor and your company's HR rep. Obviously her constant illness and related noises are interfering with your work too. Let the HR Rep and her supervisor handle it from here.

I am a strong believer that when people are sick they should STAY HOME!

There are various viewpoints on this thread too: Do you feel guilty if you call out of work sick? Does your boss get mad?

Good luck!

[claireZk]

You could always be a passive aggressive jerk and leave some Airborne and Purell on her desk, hoping she takes the hint

[natalie78]

I am sick often. I am starting to think that I have no immune system at all. I have has the flu twice this summer. That being said, I stayed home for a week each time until the fever and most of the nastiness was gone. However, since I was a kid, coughing has been a problem for me. I will cough for a few days after a cold is gone despite taking every cough medicine the doctor can throw at me. And since I am sick often, I make sure to take every precaution to ensure that I don't pass my bugs around because they wil come right back to me.

You need to definitely talk to your supervisor about the issue. She's being unsafe with your health and her own health.

[miSsxhuStLer]

Thanks tatu_002, redney,claireZk and natalie78. I appreciate your opinions.

Yes, others have complained about her always being sick. I've overheard people asking her if she's been to the doctor and hinting that she should go home, but she just brushes it off and acts like it's not a big deal. She's pretty clueless about things...I'm always spraying Lysol antibacterial and using hand sanitizer, but I don't think she's caught on that we're all paranoid about catching something from her.

I'm going to give it a few more days before I decide what to do. It's one thing that she's always sick, but I just wish she could be a little more aware that it's really bothersome to others. I hate feeling uncomfortable at work and it actually has been really distracting.

[leothelnss]

Originally Posted by claireZk

You could always be a passive aggressive jerk and leave some Airborne and Purell on her desk, hoping she takes the hint

... and some tissues. Make her a little gift basket.

[ProfNot]

Originally Posted by natalie78

You need to definitely talk to your supervisor about the issue. She's being unsafe with your health and her own health.

ITA

Her boss needs to lay down the law about her unsanitary practices. Boss should tell her that if her cleanliness doesn't improve he cannot continue to afford the increased absenteeism she causes by getting others ill and will have to fire here.

I'm sorry you have to endure her disgusting noises. I couldn't take that for one day! Can you wear earplugs to play music or news radio?

[chloehandbags]

Sounds as though she's either got a chronic illness, or sinusitis and/or or allergies, poor thing.

I can certainly see how her habits are alarming, though...

[jburgh]

I am dismayed by the lack of compassion here. People take good health for granted.

There are two things going on. One is the spreading of germs, and that is indeed troublesome, she should be taking better precautions so bacteria and viruses are not spread. This is something that HR should address for the health of all workers. You should speak with HR. Even at the dinky little place I work, there are Purell dispenser stations.

The other is the person who is sick. How do you know her problem is contagious? Maybe she has COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This is very expensive to manage. Or she may have a chronic autoimmune disease that weakens her system. Has anyone spoken with her? Is anyone concerned? Her life must be total hell, being sick all the time. Can she afford medical treatment?

You said "I don't understand how it's possible for someone to get sick so often and unfortunately it's really hard to feel sorry for someone when they are always like this." Perhaps you should take the first step and show some compassion and understanding. There is always more than one side to a story.

[bagaholic85]

Originally Posted by jburgh

I am dismayed by the lack of compassion here. People take good health for granted. There are two things going on. One is the spreading of germs, and that is indeed troublesome, she should be taking better precautions so bacteria and viruses are not spread. This is something that HR should address for the health of all workers. You should speak with HR. Even at the dinky little place I work, there are Purell dispenser stations. The other is the person who is sick. How do you know her problem is contagious? Maybe she has COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This is very expensive to manage. Or she may have a chronic autoimmune disease that weakens her system. Has anyone spoken with her? Is anyone concerned? Her life must be total hell, being sick all the time. Can she afford medical treatment? You said "I don't understand how it's possible for someone to get sick so often and unfortunately it's really hard to feel sorry for someone when they are always like this." Perhaps you should take the first step and show some compassion and understanding. There is always more than one side to a story.

[chaz]

Originally Posted by chloehandbags

Sounds as though she's either got a chronic illness, or sinusitis and/or or allergies, poor thing. I can certainly see how her habits are alarming, though...

I thought the same thing, maybe she has an ongoing chronic sinus problem? I have been battling it (chronic sinusitus) now since Christmas, its the pits and nothing seems to be making it better. She could have something like that?

I do think the supervisor could have a quiet and sympathetic word about some of her habits and see if a good compropmise can be found for you, her and all your other co-workers.

[miSsxhuStLer]

Originally Posted by jburgh

I am dismayed by the lack of compassion here. People take good health for granted. There are two things going on. One is the spreading of germs, and that is indeed troublesome, she should be taking better precautions so bacteria and viruses are not spread. This is something that HR should address for the health of all workers. You should speak with HR. Even at the dinky little place I work, there are Purell dispenser stations. The other is the person who is sick. How do you know her problem is contagious? Maybe she has COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This is very expensive to manage. Or she may have a chronic autoimmune disease that weakens her system. Has anyone spoken with her? Is anyone concerned? Her life must be total hell, being sick all the time. Can she afford medical treatment? You said "I don't understand how it's possible for someone to get sick so often and unfortunately it's really hard to feel sorry for someone when they are always like this." Perhaps you should take the first step and show some compassion and understanding. There is always more than one side to a story.

I know what she has is contagious, because I've gotten sick from her before, along with others in my department. There are Purell dispensers at my work, but it's not like you can force someone to use them. We all have full medical insurance, so it's not like she doesn't have the option to see a doctor. Coworkers have asked her whether she's been to one and she just brushes it off. We can't force her to go...it's her choice to seek out treatment if she's not feeling well.

It honestly is really difficult to feel compassion and be understanding to someone who is CONSTANTLY sick and insists on coming into work. We all have sick days, they are there for a reason. Would you feel comfortable if the person next to you was coughing and spitting into a trash can? She doesn't even bother to wash her hands after. The papers that she's coughing all over are being passed all around the office. I feel bad that she's always sick, but it's still not right that she's potentially putting others at risk too.

[natalie78]

I would definitely contact your supervisor and/or your HR department. I am not sure what they can do about it, but if she's putting your health at risk, they have to do something.

[chaz]

Originally Posted by miSsxhuStLer

I know what she has is contagious, because I've gotten sick from her before, along with others in my department. There are Purell dispensers at my work, but it's not like you can force someone to use them. We all have full medical insurance, so it's not like she doesn't have the option to see a doctor. Coworkers have asked her whether she's been to one and she just brushes it off. We can't force her to go...it's her choice to seek out treatment if she's not feeling well. It honestly is really difficult to feel compassion and be understanding to someone who is CONSTANTLY sick and insists on coming into work. We all have sick days, they are there for a reason. Would you feel comfortable if the person next to you was coughing and spitting into a trash can? She doesn't even bother to wash her hands after. The papers that she's coughing all over are being passed all around the office. I feel bad that she's always sick, but it's still not right that she's potentially putting others at risk too.

Ugh, thats just disgusting, and pretty irresponsible of her too. I can understand why you are getting to the end of your rope with this. She really needs to take some kind of responsibilty if she is making you and your co-workers sick, and your HR should find the correct way to approach her and deal with it. Thats what they are paid for. If they deem it necessary, they can suggest that she goes for tests and they are privvy to the results ( I have worked in a place that happened, of course no-one else knew what was discussed, we knew the girl in question had to have some kind of treatment as the HR department were looking into actually how effective she really was at her job due to illness, she had to comply to prove otherwise, but thats here in the UK, that may not be the case where you are?)