A good bout with the flu can bring on such dark thoughts about life, as in I do wish people would stay home when theyre sick. Then I wouldnt have caught this. For the very young, the elderly, or those with impaired immune systems, influenza is an extremely serious illness that may lead to pneumonia and even death. Flu shots can ward off the worst of influenzas effects. However, even as a reasonably healthy person, you can feel miserable for several days at least, if you catch a different strain of the 'flu. A severe cold can also make you suffer just as much.

So why isnt everybody considerate enough to stay home when theyre sick? In no particular order, here are seven reasons why people come into work anyway, when theyre sick:

1. Financial reasons their employer doesnt provide sick days with pay, or theyve had a rough year, and have already used them up, dealing with doctor and dental appointments, or the illnesses of family members.

2. They still have sick time left in their quota for the year, but their inhumane manager informs them theyve had too many medical absences already, and cant take any more time off. It makes the department look bad!

In both of the above cases, the only possible alternative is that they take vacation days. Some people have those available to use; some do not. It depends partly on the longevity of the employee, relative to company policy. And in case you think the second scenario doesnt happen, it does, and far too often in businesses in the U.S.A.

3. They have a very heavy workload, which sits there, waiting for them to come back. No one else knows how to do the work, or no one else has time, because their own pile of have-to projects is so heavy, in a typically understaffed company.

4. They think they have work that is so important that no one else can do it. This type of employee also tends to hoard vacation days, and eventually has to be forced to take those.

5. They really do have work that is so important that no one else can do it. A paramount example is the payroll in a small to medium size company. If that lone bookkeeper or accountant doesnt come in to the office on specific days, none of the employees will receive their paychecks on time. And the ripples from that can mean a crisis for many individuals. Even a poor soul undergoing chemo may feel obligated to come in too soon, so that others dont suffer. Employer, where is your substitute, your temp?

6. Top brass has scheduled a strategic meeting thats too critical to miss. At least, you are absent at your own peril. In some cases, by not attending, you may find yourself out of a job. On the other hand, you may return to find yourself gifted with a new project that someone volunteered you for, in your absence.

7. And then theres the bronchial executive, so full of herself and her germs, that she spreads illness to all of her employees without discrimination. We can always hope that higher management will notice, and tell her to stay home before the company grinds to a standstill. Yet sometimes, the only solution for us is to look for work elsewhere, before the next flu season starts and we are knocked flat again by she-who-can-do-no-wrong.

No employee enjoys being around sick coworkers, especially those who can and should stay home, once theyve realized their allergies are really something else that is contagious this time. However, if we recognize the reasons why they come into work anyway, we can be more understanding--where its justified--and better prepared to handle them. This may include taking in an aerosol can of disinfectant and using it in our work area. Can you spell Hint?

2006 Shirley Ann Parker