Coworker hacking at work

[HughMoran]

Said that over the weekend their lungs hurt so bad that they felt like they were bleeding. I said that sounded like swine flu. They agreed but said he had a mix of essential oils that would cure me if I got it - no problem. I left work after that. Is my coworker a jerk?

[Kahuna]

1. Your coworker is a jerk. nt

[Warpy]

2. Your coworker is a selfish asshole

and that's worse than a simple jerk. Not only that, but he's a stupid selfish asshole and those essential oils won't do a damned thing for anyone he infects--and he might kill someone.

I think a complaint to management is in order. This flu is dangerous and sick people need to stay home.

[HughMoran]

7. He's always talking/complaining about his issues

...completely self-absorbed. He sprays this natural deodorizer with orange oil and some other stuff - it irritates my throat - he's oblivious. The company is small and he's needed to get work done, so I'm just going to work from home now. I'm so neurotic about getting it that it's ruining my mood. I already had trouble sleeping due to a headache - I hope he didn't already infect me.

[Barack_America]

3. Another vote for jerk. If you start feeling sick...

...go to the doctor immediately and request a script for Tamiflu.

It's too late for the vaccine, I'm afraid. If it's H1N1, you've already been exposed.

[HughMoran]

6. It makes me even more mad as I had chronic brochitis for a year not so long ago

My lungs haven't felt 100% since then - I really don't need this kind of stress.

ARRGH! I'm hoping I wasn't exposed to the virus - do you know what the incubation period is - he was hacking and went home early on Friday.

[Barack_America]

8. My whole workplace came down with it last week.

Made me thankful to have had the chance to get the vaccine.

In any case, it only took about 3 days for them to come down with it (our boss was Patient Zero). Hopefully you're out of the danger zone?

With your respiratory history though, be really careful. If you start feeling flu-like do try to get the Tamiflu. If you're lucky enough to not get sick, you might ask whether you're considered high-risk enough to get a vaccine.

[HughMoran]

10. Thanks

Yeah, I saw your story about how everyone in your office got it but you. Between the intestinal bug I've had for a few days and the stress of thinking about not being able to breath, I'm having a bad day.

[snagglepuss]

4. Does your company have paid Sick Days? I think it is wrong to infect others

but sometimes people living check to check can't go without money. The real jerks are companies that don't pay for sick time especially during a pandemic.

[tblue]

5. That would drive me insane.

It's a management issue. He should be sent home. You have the right to work in a healthful environment.

I hate to be around anyone coughing or sneezing. You don't have to put up with that. Tell the boss.

Stay well, sweetie.

[MissMarple]

9. Why hasn't this individual been sent home?

My daughter's boss did that to her. She came in on a Monday not feeling well, and coughed. He put up his hand and said "Step back" and sent her home. This was done with good humor and he is about her age, but they do work in a toxicology lab. She was thinking of going back that next Friday, but changed her mind. He told her that would have been fine, he and another researcher had brought masks "just in case".
:rofl:

And yes, we think it was H1N1. She is fine.

[Golden Raisin]

11. Bigtime jerk.

At my office we were told (multiple times and emphatically) that if we were not feeling well or exhibiting flu-like symptoms NOT to come in. We had one of the very first cases of H1N1 this past summer when it was still not politically incorrect to refer to it as Swine Flu.

[Dorian Gray]

12. Yes....

and a Hugh Moran! :)

(Should have stayed at home so that nobody else gets sick!)

[Orrex]

13. Your coworker is a jerk

A few years ago my cubemate had pink eye, to the point that one eye was literally crusted shut and weeping. She kept dabbing it with the back of her hand--without washing her hands afterwards (or washing them at all, as far as I could tell). Alternatively, she would blot her seepage with tissues and leave them scattered around her desk.

My son was just a few months old at the time, and I didn't relish the idea of bringing home a case of pink eye for him, so I even asked my HR person what I could do about it.

"Well, you could request a vacation day if you feel that strongly about it."


I would suggest that you void your bowels on your coworker's desk and thereafter tell them that essential oils will fix her right up if she's disgusted.

[Chemisse]

15. YOU could request a vacation day?

What about sending the sick-eye person home until she gets some treatment?

[Orrex]

16. Exactly!

The HR rep's first reaction was to treat it as my problem.

She said something lame along the lines of "individual privacy prevents us from forcing anyone to stay home because of perceived illness."

I should have vomited on her desk and then gone back to my cube.

[Chemisse]

17. Lol - that would've been an apt response

And all that vomit is really HER problem.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

14. Your coworker is an idiot and a jerk.

[Confusious]

18. Well the essential oils should make you feel better

Maybe a little burning sage and his 3l33t shaman skills will save the day.

all :sarcasm: