14 Signs You’re Too Sick to Go to Work

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Going to work sick used to be seen as a sign of dedication to your job. These days, though, more employers understand that working while you're sick just isn't a good idea. For starters, most people can't perform well at their jobs when they're sick. On top of that, going to work when you're sick can cause your coworkers to get sick, too.

But how do you know when to make the decision to stay home? Two important factors are whether you're contagious and your work environment. If you have a contagious illness, like the flu, for example, you should stay home, even if you don't feel that bad. This is to protect those around you. And, if your work environment is physically demanding or puts you in close contact with others, you should probably lean toward staying home as well.

If you're still not sure if you should stay home from work, here are 14 signs that you're too sick to go to work. Knowing these signs can help you make that call.

1. Fever and chills

You might wonder, "Should I go to work with a fever?" If you feel unwell and your temperature is elevated, you should stay home. A fever is a sign that your body is working hard to fight an illness or infection. Most illnesses that cause a fever - like COVID-19 and influenza - are contagious.

2. Diarrhea

If you just started having diarrhea, you should stay home. Viral gastroenteritis is contagious. You should stay home until 24 hours after diarrhea has settled. Practice excellent hand hygiene both at home and outside the home to limit spread.

3. Vomiting

It's hard to work when you're vomiting. Viral gastroenteritis that causes vomiting is highly contagious. You should always stay home if you're vomiting. And stay home until 24 hours have passed since your last vomit. Again, careful handwashing and hygiene are important to keep the people you live with healthy.

4. Coughing and sneezing

If you have a new onset cough and sneeze, it's a good idea to stay home. Upper respiratory symptoms caused by a virus are different from seasonal allergies. With a cold or flu virus, coughing and sneezing symptoms start suddenly, get worse for a few days, and then get better.

5. Body aches

If you have new body aches accompanied by a heavy head, feeling weak, and just wanting to sleep, this is a good sign to go home and stay there until you feel better.

Body aches are common in many contagious illnesses, such as:

• Influenza (flu)

• COVID-19

• RSV

• Rhinovirus

• Enterovirus

• Parainfluenza

• Human metapneumovirus

6. The "setback"

This is when you get sick, stay home, and then go back to work too quickly - and feel worse the following day. It's a sign your body needs more rest. Listen to your body's clues and stay home until you feel completely recovered for a full 24 hours.

7. Pink eye

If you have a red-tinged eye with goopy discharge, it's best to stay home until you've had a visit with a healthcare professional. Pink eye (conjunctivitis) is highly contagious, and you can pass it on to your coworkers easily. To protect the people you live with, avoid touching your eyes, don't share towels, and practice good hand hygiene.

8. Wheezing and shortness of breath

Noisy breathing and difficulty catching your breath are another reason to stay home. These are symptoms of a more serious respiratory illness than your typical cold, so seek medical care and get rest.

If you also have a productive or wet cough, it's possible you could have a lower respiratory tract infection.

Things that can cause wheezing and shortness of breath include:

• Bronchitis

• Pneumonia

• Asthma exacerbation

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

9. Bladder infections or urinary tract infections (UTIs)

Fight the urge to go to work with painful, burning, frequent urination, or if you're peeing blood. These are signs you might have a urinary tract infection (UTI). If you have any UTI symptoms, it's a good idea to see a health professional sooner rather than later. These symptoms can worsen quickly, causing nausea, headaches, and even kidney infections. Starting antibiotics early can prevent ongoing symptoms or complications.

10. Vertigo

Sometimes people try to drive into work with an acute episode of vertigo (room-spinning dizziness). Though vertigo is not contagious, you should still stay home for your safety. You shouldn't drive yourself home if the vertigo starts at work. Instead, ask a friend or use a taxi or ride-share service to help get you home safely.

11. Tonsillitis or laryngitis

When your tonsils or larynx are inflamed, it can make it hard to speak. Most of the time, tonsillitis and laryngitis are caused by contagious viruses and get better on their own. However, sometimes you can get inflamed tonsils from strep throat, and you'll need antibiotics to get better. If you've lost your voice, stay home and rest it until you can comfortably speak without pain or strain.

12. Heavy menstruation or premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

It's normal for any person with a uterus to have periodic menstrual bleeding. That's when the uterus sheds its lining. Some people have pain and heavy bleeding when this happens, and some months it can be worse than others. If you're having period pain or a heavy flow that makes it difficult to get your work done, stay home and rest.

13. Headaches or migraines

Pain in your head can be difficult to manage at work, especially if your job involves looking at a screen. Headaches and migraines can also affect your ability to concentrate. If your headache or migraine is making it hard for you to do your job, you should rest and take some time away from screens while you recover.

14. Mental health concerns

Mental health is just as important as physical health, so don't forget to consider your mental well-being. If you have symptoms of depression or anxiety that interfere with your ability to function at work, you should stay home until you feel better and let your primary care provider know.

If you have symptoms like dizziness, confusion, or an inability to concentrate, seek medical attention right away. These could be signs of an underlying medical condition that needs attention.

How to tell your boss you're sick and not going to work

It can be tough to make the call when it comes to whether or not you're too sick to go to work. This is especially true if you can or do work from home. Once you've decided that you're too sick to work, you'll need to tell your manager.

Even when you have a valid reason for being sick for work, like a stomach bug, it can be hard to know what to say. Here are some examples of what to say when calling in sick that you can say over the phone, text, or email:

• "I can't come to work today. I have [respiratory, stomach, or flu-like] symptoms. I'll let you know when I'm better."

• "I am sick and unable to work today."

• "I have tested positive for COVID-19. I [do or don't] have symptoms. I'll return when it's safe."

Which symptoms must be reported to a manager?

It depends on where you live. Some cities and states make it illegal for your employer to ask for details about your symptoms. In New York state, for example, employers aren't allowed to ask what symptoms you have when you're sick. In fact, you don't even have to provide a note from a healthcare professional unless you take three or more days off of work in a row. But each state is different. It's important to note that both city and state laws may differ on this. So, make sure to look up the laws for both the city and state where you reside, so you know which rules apply to you (and your employer).

What to say when calling in sick with diarrhea

Knowing what to say when you're sick with diarrhea can be tricky. Neither you nor your boss want to discuss the details of your bowel movements. A good way to phrase this is: "I have a GI bug, and I won't be able to come to work." If the diarrhea is related to a known food poisoning, you can bring this up, too. Just know, most bosses don't want or need to know any details about the diarrhea. Keep your communication here clear and concise.

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