The Best Way to Tell a Sick Coworker to Go Home

Though Covid-19 is still going strong, we should still be aware of the classic diseases that aren't as dangerous such as colds and flu. What can you do about the symphony of coughing from the cubicle next to yours? 

Here are some suggestions for dealing with unwell coworkers nicely and professionally and informing them that they should have called in sick.

1. Make sure your workspace is clear of germs.

Making your personal work environment a germ-free haven is the first step in dealing with a sick coworker in the office. This will help you to avoid being unwell and will also help you avoid infecting other employees at the office.

Take action by disinfecting your desk, computer, and anything else you touch daily, such as pens, armrests, mousepads, and drawer handles.

Keep a bottle of hand sanitiser on your desk as a backup germ killer for after handshakes or after signing a greeting card transferred from hand to hand.

2. Keep the communal areas clean.

After you've constructed your germ-free workspace, think about how you might prevent disease in public areas. Printers, doorknobs, shared freezers, and even the office coffee machine may become breeding grounds for germs that can make you and your coworkers ill.

Speak with your employer about how they clean the common areas twice as often during the sick season. If it appears that your employer isn't doing enough to maintain the spaces germ-free, you might want to consider limiting your use of common office areas.

Even in the future where Covid-19 no longer poses a threat, we should still make the workplace a germ-free sanctuary.

3. Encourage your coworker to go home.

What can you do if a sick coworker refuses to go home and the constant coughing and sneezing keep you from doing your job? 

If you're friendly with the coworker, you could try dropping a few clues to convince them to go home. You could tell your coworker that they aren't acting or speaking like their usual, healthy self.

If your routine includes conversing with coworkers around the water cooler, politely keep your distance and deny any offers to grab lunch until they're feeling better. Keep your hand sanitiser close by and offer to share your disinfecting wipes gently.

4. Seek advice from human resources.

If that coworker doesn't get the subtle hints and refuses to leave the office, it's better not to take matters into your own hands to avoid an unpleasant confrontation. A meeting with your human resources department would be a good idea.

Inform your human resources department that you are afraid that the sick coworker's continued presence in the office may jeopardise your own health. It's best to leave it up to your human resources department to propose that your coworker stays at home until they feel better or that the ill person works from home rather than at the office.

Dealing with sick coworkers is an inevitable part of office life. Keep in mind that you can only be responsible for your conduct if you care for your own environment. If a sick coworker becomes a workplace distraction, leave it to your human resources department to handle the matter.

Source: FairyGodBoss