If you stay home sick, do you explain how you are sick?

[Anonymous]

Generally no, since the relationships in my office are solid and people trust each other to be responsible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My last job was super into "face time" and the expectation was that you came in even if you were sick. (This is why I left - otherwise it would have been a good job but I had to move on as kids got older and I needed more flexibility). Luckily, I rarely got sick so I when I did stay home it was usually stomach-bug related.

I always did say, "I have either a stomach bug or food poisoning so can't come in" - I think it is universally accepted that a) people don't want to be near you and b) you really can't be on the metro on in the office if you are running to the bathroom.

The head of my department had no problem announcing she was vomiting but coming in as soon as possible. So, so super annoying. Now I'm in a place that allows telecommuting even when you are not sick! Amazing!

Oh man, this is the worst. I'm glad you found a new job! Sharing your germs with everyone is not cool or productive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is requiring detailed health related information to an employer against the law?

It depends on the level of detail being requested and the reason. If you are requesting FMLA leave they can request that the health care provider provider a certain amount of information.

Smart employers know that it is better for them to no ask for details except when there is a true need.

[Anonymous]

When I was in the medical field, I had to call out sick on Christmas Eve. I felt it would look like I was playing hockey, so I left a voicemail with more details than anyone would want to hear. Something like,

"Hi, larla. I didn't feel well, but attempted to come in anyway. I threw up in my car and am now going back home. Sorry, i know youre shorthanded today. The puke is in a Wawa cup in my car if you want to see it. I'll call you later." She didn't ask to see it, but we had a good laugh about it later.

[Anonymous]

I always tell them I have bottle flu.

[Anonymous]

Sick leave does get abused in my office - one coworker called out Monday whenever he had enough leave acrrued, until he finally got approved to telework on Mondays. So, in that context I do feel the need to distinguish my rare sick day - I usually say I have a fever, looks like the flu, food poisoning etc. One time I had dengue fever and I definitely shared that info.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a supervisor, I really don't want any details. Just let me know when you anticipate returning. Is it just today or the whole week

Yes, this. We have a friendly office and people generally share details if they need support (e.g., major surgery) but if you're just sick I don't need to know your symptoms. If a doctor's note is required for whatever reason, then the doctor just says you are too sick to come in -- again, no details.

In addition to TMI being gross, in past jobs I have lost some respect for co-workers who seem to constantly be out for minor sinus things. It's your leave and you can use it for anything, but when you leave your co-workers scrambling to cover your projects because your nose is stuffy, I do think less of you. It's better for everyone if there are no details.

[Anonymous]

I will give general info so that 1, my group has a sense of how long I might be out, and 2, if it's not me that's actually sick. I'm allowed to use my sick leave to cover DC's being sick, taking a sick relative to a doctor's apt, that kind of thing.
So when I had to repeatedly take an elderly relative to chemo - yup, I told.
If I'm out and think I'm likely to be out for a few days (ie stomach bug or flu) I'll just say "I've got a bug or something, out today, probably tomorrow, and maybe even Wed."
I don't go into gross TMI details with my boss. we're not that close!

[Anonymous]

If I do, it's very vague. "Running a fever," "sinus issues," that sort of generality. I would never specify diarrhea or anything - that is definitely TMI.1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sick leave does get abused in my office - one coworker called out Monday whenever he had enough leave acrrued, until he finally got approved to telework on Mondays. So, in that context I do feel the need to distinguish my rare sick day - I usually say I have a fever, looks like the flu, food poisoning etc. One time I had dengue fever and I definitely shared that info.

This is why a lot of companies are doing away with sick leave. We only have PTO.