Manager forces sick employee to come in or lose his job, employee infects coworkers and manager: 'Now everyone has it'

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Jul 26, 2024 8:00 AM EDT

This manager has no one to blame but himself. How much more do we need to evolve culturally for managers to understand not to question employees when they tell their bosses they are sick? It's simply not worth the risk.

This thread was posted to Reddit by u/Retired_DG_Key, who got the stomach flu from his roommate's kid and tried to call in sick to the managers of his four jobs. Two of those managers were decent humans. The others forced the employee to get a doctor's note or find a replacement on short notice. He ended up coming into the office and, although he spent most of his shift away from others, as he predicted, everyone got sick including his manager. That's what you get, sir!

Keep scrolling below for the full story and for the best reactions from folks in the comments section. For more stories like this, take a look at this post about a bartender's zero weeks notice.

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  • 01
    "Everyone is sick at work now, I'm the cause..."
    via Kelly Sikkema
  • 02
    About 2 weeks ago my roommates kid came home with a "little stomach flu", which despite my best efforts I caught. I tried calling out, and 2 of my jobs let me, but the other 2 managers told me nope,
    via u/Retired_DG_Key
  • 03
    doctors note, I had to find a replacement, and it will be a no-show. So I came into work. Spent half the day in the restroom, and now
    via u/Retired_DG_Key
  • 04
    everyone has it including both managers that forced me to come in. One complained to me how everyone in her house has it and how it's my fault.
    via u/Retired_DG_Key
  • 05
    We really need some sort of mandatory sick leave. I hate how I infected some of my coworkers, but how much illness could be prevented if we did.
    via u/Retired_DG_Key
  • 06
    Stillwater-Scorp1381 1 day ago I hate the demands for a doctors note. Office visits cost me $200-250 with my insurance carrier. It's such an absurd expectation from employers. Your managers are at fault for the whole office getting infected. You tried to do the right thing.
    via u/Retired_DG_Key
  • 07
    Used_Examination_3 49 . 1 day ago The fact that you have to work four jobs is the real crime.
    via u/Retired_DG_Key
  • 08
    Piratepizzaninja . 1 day ago And still needs a roommate
    via u/Retired_DG_Key
  • 09
    WordWord1337. 1 day ago SOs for your coworkers, but for your employers this is just the predictable consequences of their own policy coming back on them. I hope it is as expensive a lesson for them as possible.
    via u/Retired_DG_Key
  • 10
    Retired_DG_Key OP 1 day ago I feel really bad about one of them, since she did cover one of my shifts letting me rest some. The managers may think twice next time someone calls in sick, but I doubt it.
    via u/Retired_DG_Key
  • 11
    Ben_Lahnger 1 day ago Here's how I would have responded to this: "One complained to me how everyone in her house has it and how it's my fault."
    via u/Retired_DG_Key
  • 12
    No, It's YOUR fault for making me come in. I told you I was sick and shouldn't come in, and you MADE me come in. You said, I don't care if you're contagious; you come in, and I as well as all of our teammates will just take our chances. This was YOUR call! That truly ss.
    via u/Retired_DG_Key
  • 13
    RachelTyrel 1 day ago No, YOU did not infect your coworkers. Your managers did that. Don't take the blame for their O up.
    via u/Retired_DG_Key
  • 14
    Dommccabe 1 day ago Excuse me but am I reading this right?? 4 jobs?????????
    via u/Retired_DG_Key
  • 15
    Jassida 1 day ago What kind of a nightmare is this? Roommate? 4 jobs? Forced in to work sick?
    via u/Retired_DG_Key
  • 16
    quast_64 1 day ago Then you aren't the cause, the managers that forced you to come in are the cause. You did as you were told, enjoy the 'I told you so' moment.
    via u/Retired_DG_Key
  • 17
    RachelTyrel 1 day ago Oh please, Boss, tell me I need a doctor's note. I will get the doctor to take me in off work for at least a week.
    via u/Retired_DG_Key

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workplace-stories work stories toxic-workplace job work coworkers Horrible Bosses sick reddit thread Reddit company toxic-work-environment
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