Thinking about work

[taimatsu]

The drugs are becoming less effective on the cough, but it's still much less distressing than it was. I feel well enough in myself to work tomorrow, but my voice is definitely not all there, and I am coughing a lot; I wouldn't like to be answering the phone like this. (This also assumes I can sleep properly tonight - I have been sleeping over the last two days, just not enough or at the right times.)

If I were not at work on Monday it would count as my seventh day of absence (the weekends count) and from the eighth day I need a doctor's certificate.

As for giving it to other people; according to one hospital website flu is catching until about the seventh day of the infection. So if I was coming down with it on Monday night, I'm not very likely to give it to anyone if I go back tomorrow, which is a relief.

I'm just worried about this cough. I can do 90% of my tasks; I just can't easily answer/use the phone, or talk much. (I am responsible for answering the office enquiries number and for greeting people who come into the office, as well as, obviously, discussing other aspects of my work with staff and answering queries about my areas of responsibility.)

I have probably not spoken for more than five minutes total in the last four days. I've just tried saying that sentence out loud and I'm very hoarse. I am coughing a lot - really very frequently, about every minute at the moment - and I am concerned that I will disturb practically everyone on the Admin corridor with the noise. Gerry shares an office with me, and there are three other offices with connecting doors to ours, which are kept open.

If you're an office worker, what would you do if you had a very bad cough and slight sore throat (which would interfere with your work), but nothing else significantly wrong with you?

I really can't decide what to do. I no longer feel ill. I am plainly much much better. I'm just not entirely capable of doing my whole job. Even that is a matter of degree - if I had just a little occasional cough I'd be fine. Argh! I don't want to go and be a noisy nuisance or annoying because I can't do my job properly; on the other hand I don't want to look like a malingerer, sitting at home even though I'm pretty much better.

So, should I sit at home and cough, or sit at work and cough?

Comments

[bopeepsheep.livejournal.com]

I have been an office worker, I have worked in Personnel and Occupational Health too. I would say that the best thing to do is to go in (which resets your days of absence) and speak to your boss, explain about the cough (which will probably be self-explanatory) and ask advice. If they are human they will probably recommend that you go home again. :D If you genuinely feel up to the work you can manage (obviously not the phone stuff) they can arrange something for the things you can't do, if you stay, and if they can arrange cover for all of it they won't make you stay.

My two pence worth, anyway.

Re:

[taimatsu]

I think you're right. I can certainly manage the typing and general admin stuff I get given; the only major task I ought to do but won't be able to manage is the stationery order which has to be done by phone at the moment.

I think I shall go and make sure I have some clothes to wear :)

Re:

[wednesday]

Although if it's particularly cold weather tomorrow, bundle unusually well.

And if the cough persists at this level, go back to your doctor anyhow; it might be borderline bronchitis.

[lovingboth]

My personal test is that if I feel too unwell to cycle, I'm too unwell to work.

Re:

[taimatsu]

If I could cycle at all, I could see that being very useful :)