Picture this. You're sitting at your desk and a co-worker drops by but before you can say hi, they start coughing all over you.
If you think this scenario seems to be happening more frequently lately, you'd be right. A new survey finds that nearly one out of every two (46%) employees come to work even though they have a cold or fever and should be home in bed. It would be better for them as well as you. Who needs to get sick unnecessarily?
Apparently, it's going to take more than a cold or flu to get between them and their jobs this cold and flu season, according to a new survey conducted by the cough drop company, Halls.
The national telephone survey found that 46% of working Americans refuse to sacrifice a sick day this year for most cold and flu symptoms, including a cough, sore throat, body aches and sinus headache.
In fact, nearly half of Americans (44%) would consider going to work with a fever, and about a third of Americans (32%) said they would show up to work no matter how sick they get. Isn't that great? Someone with a highly contagious disease decides to show up at the office because he or she is afraid of their boss.
That's right. According to the latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, one in five Americans (19 percent) feel pressure by their boss or supervisor to go to work even when they're sick. One in three (31%) Americans said they wouldn't get paid for taking off on a sick day, and one in 10 (11%) said they would likely fall behind on their bills by taking a sick day. Additionally, more than 10% thought they would not likely receive their next pay raise or promotion, or worse, would even lose their job for calling out sick.
So what should you do to protect yourself from a medically unsafe workplace?
Get your flu shot. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends a yearly seasonal flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against seasonal influenza.
Wash your hands and wash them often. You should do what doctors do. Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is a good alternative.
If you have to cough or sneeze, do it into your elbow. That's if you don't have a tissue. This will help prevent the spread of germs.
Disinfect common surfaces. Germs can live for hours, and in some cases weeks, on common surfaces. Use a disinfectant regularly to wipe and clean doorknobs, phones, remote controls, toys, computer keyboards, and any other items that are shared at home or at the office.
Practice general good health habits. Eat right and exercise. Diets rich in fruits and vegetables provide a loaded source of immune boosting nutrients. Exercising, whether you're walking or playing outdoor games, builds up immune cells in the body and can help you feel more energetic and healthier while increasing your immunity to certain illnesses.
Drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids. Hydrate your body by drinking 8-10 glasses of water a day to help flush out the system, and to keep your throat moist.
Get as much rest as possible. Try to sleep at least 8 to 9 hours per night to rejuvenate your body. In addition, try using relaxation techniques that are at your disposal, such as massage, yoga, and meditation. Stress and fatigue can lower your immune system.
Get plenty of fresh air. A regular dose of fresh air is important, especially in cold weather when central heating dries you out and makes your body more vulnerable to cold and flu viruses. Also, during cold weather more people stay indoors, which means more germs are circulating in crowded, dry rooms.
