The last time I was sick was earlier in the year, when my wife and I became ill over food poisoning. Because we rarely get sick, both of our jobs were both understanding and very supportive. We lost weight and missed a few days of work between us. I realized how much people pay attention in the workplace when I am out. Even though I felt supported, because I am the head of the department it felt as thought it was expected I do not miss days even if I am sick.
When my wife is sick, which is very rare I try my best to support her. Because she never complains about pain and she has a high threshold, I take it very serious when she becomes sick and misses work.
In conclusion, I believe that because of our positions at work my wife and I are looked at differently when we miss work. My wife is front line staff and I am in management(different company). I believed that managers sometimes have to suck it up and come to work, even when they are not their best and front line staff are expected to take and use their allotted sick time. The impact for both my wife and I are felt as we hate taking work off but for different reasons. As I am worried about what others may say and my wife is more concerned with the work itself.
Health is Wealth. 
Hi Chauncey!
I like how you try to see to your wife’s comfort when she is sick! We need more men like you!
I’m like your wife in the way that if I’m sick, I don’t complain either. I try to go about my day as best as I can and collapse in the evenings when everyone else is asleep.
I have not had food poisoning but have heard it’s very unpleasant. I heard you just have to drink lots of liquids and like wait it out. Did either of you take any medications to alleviate your discomfort? Glad you’re doing better. The upside is you both lost weight!
I find it odd that we have sick time through work but when we use it, it’s almost frowned upon. I can relate with your wife because I know that I’ll have all this work that needs catching up on because I was out sick. Hey, management has sick days too so don’t be hesitant to use them. As a minion in the company that I work for, I prefer happy management then sick management who doesn’t feel well and may transfer that grumpiness to me! 🙂
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Hi Chauncey,
First and foremost I appreciate and like how you take the time to attend to your wife’s need when she is ill, even though she doesn’t ask for much.That’s a special trait to act without being asked to act. It is so bothersome when as you stated management is expected, as if they aren’t human and not robots. Employers and upper management should have more empathy and relax when a very dependable person is down, not doing so could cost them to loose that very person when all they wanted was empathy about their situation. Feeling like you are in such high demand that you can’t allow your body shut down time when you are ill resonated with me because I also held a position in which I was the octopus of the company. We know we are good at what we do and it doesn’t get any better than us, but we all have our ups and downs and what really makes an impression on our hearts are those who are there when the down season comes.I share that same feeling as you about management having to suck it up, they should always be minimally equipped to do the most demanding job in case illness strikes.
Do you think about taking another position, leaving the entire company or being your own boss when you or you family falls ill?
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