Whatever happened to the German self-medication of 'opening the windows' for fresh air to feel better or go for a looooooooong hike? 😂😂😂 I think business and government look for a complex solution to a relatively simple condition. Covid has seen record numbers of people leave the workforce. Primarily, in my view, because people have realised that no one will remember you for your long hours when you're dead! People want a 'life.' Yes, there are some 'shirkers' but it doesn't run into the millions - work/life balance is much more important, with people of an older AND younger age taking early retirement or working part time to preserve their health. In the UK they work some of the longest hours in Europe with the lowest productivity and a burnt out workforce yet government proposes draconian laws to force the sick back into the workforce. If business want healthy employees both mentally and physically and government wants more workers paying tax, they will need to look at the working environment they have created. Staying at your desk eating lunch and leaving when the lights are turned out is not good for anyone's health. Nor is constantly being on call via a mobile or email 24/7. Perhaps 4 day working weeks, home working, hybrid working, job sharing and switching off make for a healthy productive workforce. The current work system doesn't really help anyone apart from those that can afford to be idle when in reality we all need a better, more healthy and productive working environment. But neither government or business will want to share the wealth out to make it happen.
definitely a cultural thing. personally i find taking 1 to 2 weeks off for a common cold completely ludicrous, but i was brought up different.
the doctors do indeed issue sick certificates based on a phone call so what is the value of them at all?
nor do i really buy in to the argument that going into work with a cold is unfair to colleagues - we are all exposed to viruses and pathogens all the time, it is the strength of our immune systems that determine whether we get sick. i mean if someone walks up and sneezes right in your face you might catch a heavier viral load but social distancing from a colleague who is spluttering can minimise the exposure.
the question is, what are colleagues actually doing when they are on sick leave - are they at home resting and recovering or are they out and about shopping and meeting up with others? the answer will determine how legitimate or bogus their sick leave is, and only they truly know the answer to that.
Whatever happened to the German self-medication of 'opening the windows' for fresh air to feel better or go for a looooooooong hike? 😂😂😂 I think business and government look for a complex solution to a relatively simple condition. Covid has seen record numbers of people leave the workforce. Primarily, in my view, because people have realised that no one will remember you for your long hours when you're dead! People want a 'life.' Yes, there are some 'shirkers' but it doesn't run into the millions - work/life balance is much more important, with people of an older AND younger age taking early retirement or working part time to preserve their health. In the UK they work some of the longest hours in Europe with the lowest productivity and a burnt out workforce yet government proposes draconian laws to force the sick back into the workforce. If business want healthy employees both mentally and physically and government wants more workers paying tax, they will need to look at the working environment they have created. Staying at your desk eating lunch and leaving when the lights are turned out is not good for anyone's health. Nor is constantly being on call via a mobile or email 24/7. Perhaps 4 day working weeks, home working, hybrid working, job sharing and switching off make for a healthy productive workforce. The current work system doesn't really help anyone apart from those that can afford to be idle when in reality we all need a better, more healthy and productive working environment. But neither government or business will want to share the wealth out to make it happen.
definitely a cultural thing. personally i find taking 1 to 2 weeks off for a common cold completely ludicrous, but i was brought up different.
the doctors do indeed issue sick certificates based on a phone call so what is the value of them at all?
nor do i really buy in to the argument that going into work with a cold is unfair to colleagues - we are all exposed to viruses and pathogens all the time, it is the strength of our immune systems that determine whether we get sick. i mean if someone walks up and sneezes right in your face you might catch a heavier viral load but social distancing from a colleague who is spluttering can minimise the exposure.
the question is, what are colleagues actually doing when they are on sick leave - are they at home resting and recovering or are they out and about shopping and meeting up with others? the answer will determine how legitimate or bogus their sick leave is, and only they truly know the answer to that.