SaaSam profile picture
SaaSam profile picture

SaaSam

Account Executive

Politicker
Executive
Acclaimed Answer
+9

How sick do you need to be before you decide to take a sick day?

There aren't really any well defined rules as to what constitutes "sick enough". I'm curious what personal criteria everyone has for themselves when deciding to call in sick. I rarely do since what we do often times isn't physically demanding and I work from home 100% of the time. Today I decided to do it.


Thing is I feel fine now, must have been some kind of food poisoning. I was up all night throwing up then about 4am was the last trip to the bathroom and other than being super tired I feel better. Calling in because all that crazyness has my voice super hoarse and making calls is going to be a bitch.


Am I out of line?


How do you decide you are sick enough to take the day?

🐱 Off-Topic
🤗 Self-care
18

22 comments

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Beans
Big Shot
6
Enterprise Account Executive
It's such a weird situation now with the hybrid/WFH models.

Previously for me it'd solely be based on - "Can I get my co-workers sick too?" - if so I'd stay home, but probably half-ass work.

Now I'm not even sure I'd bother to take the day off, I'd just work from home and nap / rest whenever I gas out.
SaaSam
Politicker
2
Account Executive
I was like that until about a year ago. Best boss I ever had forced me to take a sick day in a similar situation. Told me he would rather not have me for 1 day than have me at less than 100% for a few days.

That dude was really cool. Legitimately cared about his employees. Put a lot of emphasis on work/life balance and making sure nobody gassed out. Went as far as to institute a mandatory time off policy.
sugardaddy
Politicker
1
🍬
Agree with Beans here. Same situation for! 
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
6
☕️
If it feels like someone has stuck a kabab skewer through my pupil when I look at my screen, then it's time for a sick day.
DungeonsNDemos
Big Shot
5
Rolling 20's all day
I'd say when you're sick enough that you can't focus or put forth the effort needed to perform well. I have only used one sick day this year when I woke up with a migraine and after trying to focus for 2 hours I couldn't see myself getting through the day.
So that or if I'm stuck in the bathroom with food poisoning.
Helps to have an understanding boss.
thebuckhunter
Politicker
2
AE
We have "unlimited" PTO, but that being said, I'd probably rally if needed to for scheduled meetings. Just wouldn't put effort into scheduling new meetings. 
SaaSam
Politicker
1
Account Executive
Normally that's how I would approach it. Unfortunately current management would throw a fit because of "low activity" on any given day. Hence why it's best to take the day. For me anyways.
thebuckhunter
Politicker
1
AE
I feel ya, fortunately, my team is pretty agile, with a direct line to leadership when needed. I'm sure serial sickness would lead to other issues, but I think there is enough trust of what is the case of sniffles vs. being actually sick. 
hh456
Celebrated Contributor
2
sales
If I’m sick I’ll work from home. I’d rather get a few things done here and there while recovering versus being in the office getting others sick and being marginally more productive.
Mobi85
Politicker
2
Regional Sales Manager
I go off the rule of if I could get others sick I am working from home or taking the day off.  I rarely try to take sick days for myself personally because having a toddler that is a little germ magnet I will have to occasionally have to take my sick days for him.   Good thing is that I am hybrid and if I am not feeling well can just work from home and most of my job doesn't require me to be in zoom meetings, I can knock work out via email/phone/text.  
TheOverTaker
Politicker
1
Senior Account Executive
usually depends on how functional I can be. but as other people have said, now that I am WFH, I havent taken one. I can still be available and do things unless I am dying
Diablo
Politicker
1
Sr. AE
For me it depends upon the level of energy I have. But I try to finish all the pre-schedule meetings unless my voice is gone.
justatopproducer
Politicker
1
VP OF SALES -US
I just WFH through covid. Took a nap when i was tired for 20 minutes and back to work.
NoSuperhero
Politicker
1
BDR LEAD
I say if you're not well enough to concentrate on whatever you're doing then might as well stay home. Productivity won't be the same, conversations won't be either, you might as well just stay in bed and focus on regaining energy so you can go back and kill it the next day.
SaaSam
Politicker
0
Account Executive
Agreed, there are situations where you could probably force yourself to get the job done but how many leads/deals are you going to burn because you weren't at the top of your game?
Jewcan_Sam81
Politicker
1
Account Executive
Honestly, if I'm feeling like I'm gonna be useless that day, and it'll affect the way I function, I'm gonna take it easy. Nothing worse than cold calling prospects that could turn into biz and sounding like an a-hole. Maybe a good use of time to update the CRM and ask to dip early, maybe send out some templates? 
FamilyTruckster
Politicker
1
Exec Director, Major Accounts
Like sandbagging quota, take a sick day or two. Nobody will ever commend you for taking zero sick time besides yourself. 
SaaSam
Politicker
1
Account Executive
Very good point
UrAssIsSaaS
Arsonist
0
SaaS Eater
I havent taken a sick day in 6+ years so I either have an impenetrable immune system or think you can work through just about anything (especially with WFH). For better or worse. 
antiASKHOLE
Tycoon
0
Bravado's Resident Asshole
I have gone to work with having literally no voice to try and make some calls... Boss sent me home. 

I have gone to work where I had a fever of 103, boss noticed I wasn't running circles around my other co-workers, sent me home. 

I was just told that I needed back surgery and still came to work basically crawling to my chair.. was sent home. 

I just don't like using PTO unless I have to or if it is planned.. 
ryan_howard
Politicker
0
Director, Business Development
In person I won’t come in if I am contagious or throwing up
WFH I will still login.
I am fortunate that I’ve been ill maybe twice in the last 8 years
goose
Politicker
0
Sales Executive
"Sick days" is an old reference.  Just call it PTO and when you feel like taking some time then go ahead and take it.  That's what it's there for.  

Higher ups should be allowed to expect you to grind through the sniffles when shit gets real at work and they should also be agreeable when you need to go hit some balls at the range on a slower day.

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