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Employee continuously has an intense coughing fit. Unofficial solutions?
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An employee where I work has a very intense cough. Every 10-30 minutes this person -- whom sits a few rows away in a large floor filled with cubes -- has a coughing fit which lasts less than a minute but sounds bad. I'm worried that this person could have something contagious.
For whatever reasons this person does not stay home sick, nor has a manager done anything. My boss does not manage this person, and it would need to go far up the chain of bureaucracy in order to get to have someone officially speak to this person. So lacking any official, direct means of dealing with this, what can I do? Try to speak to the person? Ask to work from home until the office is free of sickness?
Related question: What can I do when another employee is sick? -- except with the limitation as noted above; assume "talk to boss" is not an effective solution.
professionalism sickness
asked Apr 10 '15 at 19:05
Luke
26929
 |Â
show 9 more comments
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
An employee where I work has a very intense cough. Every 10-30 minutes this person -- whom sits a few rows away in a large floor filled with cubes -- has a coughing fit which lasts less than a minute but sounds bad. I'm worried that this person could have something contagious.
For whatever reasons this person does not stay home sick, nor has a manager done anything. My boss does not manage this person, and it would need to go far up the chain of bureaucracy in order to get to have someone officially speak to this person. So lacking any official, direct means of dealing with this, what can I do? Try to speak to the person? Ask to work from home until the office is free of sickness?
Related question: What can I do when another employee is sick? -- except with the limitation as noted above; assume "talk to boss" is not an effective solution.
professionalism sickness
asked Apr 10 '15 at 19:05
Luke
26929
1
is this something that just started today, or something that's been going on for weeks?
– Kate Gregory
Apr 10 '15 at 19:46
2
"For whatever reasons this person does not stay home sick." What is your sick policy? The actual one, not the official one. Maybe the root problem is something that can only be fixed high up the chain (though I doubt anything about you or this other employee will convince them to fix it).
– Lawtonfogle
Apr 10 '15 at 19:49
1
Have you talked to him? Surely he knows that everyone is aware of his coughing. Can't you just say that you're concerned for him and find out if he's contagious and why he's continuing to work when he's ill? You can't decide on a best course of action without more information. If he's putting you all at risk, it's much more urgent to get him out of the office. If he's not contagious, then it's more of noise/distraction problem.
– ColleenV
Apr 10 '15 at 20:50
1
possible duplicate of What can I do when another employee is sick?
– Jim G.
Apr 12 '15 at 15:44
1
have a co-worker who is constantly sniffing, clearing her throat, etc. Asked if it was seasonal allergies, in passing conversation. Winds up, she has one of the most common forms of Tourette's Syndrome, and that's how it manifests itself (instead of the more dramatic outbursts of obscenities we see in movies or on TV shows). Tread very carefully and consider whether this is actually a concern for your health, or if you're trying to find a way to get rid of a minor annoyance. You don't know what the actual issue is, and you don't want to wind up looking like a jerk in this.
– PoloHoleSet
Jun 27 '17 at 17:05
 |Â
show 9 more comments
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
An employee where I work has a very intense cough. Every 10-30 minutes this person -- whom sits a few rows away in a large floor filled with cubes -- has a coughing fit which lasts less than a minute but sounds bad. I'm worried that this person could have something contagious.
For whatever reasons this person does not stay home sick, nor has a manager done anything. My boss does not manage this person, and it would need to go far up the chain of bureaucracy in order to get to have someone officially speak to this person. So lacking any official, direct means of dealing with this, what can I do? Try to speak to the person? Ask to work from home until the office is free of sickness?
Related question: What can I do when another employee is sick? -- except with the limitation as noted above; assume "talk to boss" is not an effective solution.
professionalism sickness
asked Apr 10 '15 at 19:05
Luke
26929
An employee where I work has a very intense cough. Every 10-30 minutes this person -- whom sits a few rows away in a large floor filled with cubes -- has a coughing fit which lasts less than a minute but sounds bad. I'm worried that this person could have something contagious.
For whatever reasons this person does not stay home sick, nor has a manager done anything. My boss does not manage this person, and it would need to go far up the chain of bureaucracy in order to get to have someone officially speak to this person. So lacking any official, direct means of dealing with this, what can I do? Try to speak to the person? Ask to work from home until the office is free of sickness?
Related question: What can I do when another employee is sick? -- except with the limitation as noted above; assume "talk to boss" is not an effective solution.
professionalism sickness
asked Apr 10 '15 at 19:05
Luke
26929
asked Apr 10 '15 at 19:05
Luke
26929
asked Apr 10 '15 at 19:05
Luke
26929
asked Apr 10 '15 at 19:05
Luke
26929
26929
1
is this something that just started today, or something that's been going on for weeks?
– Kate Gregory
Apr 10 '15 at 19:46
2
"For whatever reasons this person does not stay home sick." What is your sick policy? The actual one, not the official one. Maybe the root problem is something that can only be fixed high up the chain (though I doubt anything about you or this other employee will convince them to fix it).
– Lawtonfogle
Apr 10 '15 at 19:49
1
Have you talked to him? Surely he knows that everyone is aware of his coughing. Can't you just say that you're concerned for him and find out if he's contagious and why he's continuing to work when he's ill? You can't decide on a best course of action without more information. If he's putting you all at risk, it's much more urgent to get him out of the office. If he's not contagious, then it's more of noise/distraction problem.
– ColleenV
Apr 10 '15 at 20:50
1
possible duplicate of What can I do when another employee is sick?
– Jim G.
Apr 12 '15 at 15:44
1
have a co-worker who is constantly sniffing, clearing her throat, etc. Asked if it was seasonal allergies, in passing conversation. Winds up, she has one of the most common forms of Tourette's Syndrome, and that's how it manifests itself (instead of the more dramatic outbursts of obscenities we see in movies or on TV shows). Tread very carefully and consider whether this is actually a concern for your health, or if you're trying to find a way to get rid of a minor annoyance. You don't know what the actual issue is, and you don't want to wind up looking like a jerk in this.
– PoloHoleSet
Jun 27 '17 at 17:05
 |Â
show 9 more comments
1
is this something that just started today, or something that's been going on for weeks?
– Kate Gregory
Apr 10 '15 at 19:46
2
"For whatever reasons this person does not stay home sick." What is your sick policy? The actual one, not the official one. Maybe the root problem is something that can only be fixed high up the chain (though I doubt anything about you or this other employee will convince them to fix it).
– Lawtonfogle
Apr 10 '15 at 19:49
1
Have you talked to him? Surely he knows that everyone is aware of his coughing. Can't you just say that you're concerned for him and find out if he's contagious and why he's continuing to work when he's ill? You can't decide on a best course of action without more information. If he's putting you all at risk, it's much more urgent to get him out of the office. If he's not contagious, then it's more of noise/distraction problem.
– ColleenV
Apr 10 '15 at 20:50
1
possible duplicate of What can I do when another employee is sick?
– Jim G.
Apr 12 '15 at 15:44
1
have a co-worker who is constantly sniffing, clearing her throat, etc. Asked if it was seasonal allergies, in passing conversation. Winds up, she has one of the most common forms of Tourette's Syndrome, and that's how it manifests itself (instead of the more dramatic outbursts of obscenities we see in movies or on TV shows). Tread very carefully and consider whether this is actually a concern for your health, or if you're trying to find a way to get rid of a minor annoyance. You don't know what the actual issue is, and you don't want to wind up looking like a jerk in this.
– PoloHoleSet
Jun 27 '17 at 17:05
1
1
is this something that just started today, or something that's been going on for weeks?
– Kate Gregory
Apr 10 '15 at 19:46
is this something that just started today, or something that's been going on for weeks?
– Kate Gregory
Apr 10 '15 at 19:46
2
2
"For whatever reasons this person does not stay home sick." What is your sick policy? The actual one, not the official one. Maybe the root problem is something that can only be fixed high up the chain (though I doubt anything about you or this other employee will convince them to fix it).
– Lawtonfogle
Apr 10 '15 at 19:49
"For whatever reasons this person does not stay home sick." What is your sick policy? The actual one, not the official one. Maybe the root problem is something that can only be fixed high up the chain (though I doubt anything about you or this other employee will convince them to fix it).
– Lawtonfogle
Apr 10 '15 at 19:49
1
1
Have you talked to him? Surely he knows that everyone is aware of his coughing. Can't you just say that you're concerned for him and find out if he's contagious and why he's continuing to work when he's ill? You can't decide on a best course of action without more information. If he's putting you all at risk, it's much more urgent to get him out of the office. If he's not contagious, then it's more of noise/distraction problem.
– ColleenV
Apr 10 '15 at 20:50
Have you talked to him? Surely he knows that everyone is aware of his coughing. Can't you just say that you're concerned for him and find out if he's contagious and why he's continuing to work when he's ill? You can't decide on a best course of action without more information. If he's putting you all at risk, it's much more urgent to get him out of the office. If he's not contagious, then it's more of noise/distraction problem.
– ColleenV
Apr 10 '15 at 20:50
1
1
possible duplicate of What can I do when another employee is sick?
– Jim G.
Apr 12 '15 at 15:44
possible duplicate of What can I do when another employee is sick?
– Jim G.
Apr 12 '15 at 15:44
1
1
have a co-worker who is constantly sniffing, clearing her throat, etc. Asked if it was seasonal allergies, in passing conversation. Winds up, she has one of the most common forms of Tourette's Syndrome, and that's how it manifests itself (instead of the more dramatic outbursts of obscenities we see in movies or on TV shows). Tread very carefully and consider whether this is actually a concern for your health, or if you're trying to find a way to get rid of a minor annoyance. You don't know what the actual issue is, and you don't want to wind up looking like a jerk in this.
– PoloHoleSet
Jun 27 '17 at 17:05
have a co-worker who is constantly sniffing, clearing her throat, etc. Asked if it was seasonal allergies, in passing conversation. Winds up, she has one of the most common forms of Tourette's Syndrome, and that's how it manifests itself (instead of the more dramatic outbursts of obscenities we see in movies or on TV shows). Tread very carefully and consider whether this is actually a concern for your health, or if you're trying to find a way to get rid of a minor annoyance. You don't know what the actual issue is, and you don't want to wind up looking like a jerk in this.
– PoloHoleSet
Jun 27 '17 at 17:05
 |Â
show 9 more comments
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
up vote
4
down vote
Confer with your manager and have the manager take steps to send the employee home. If this means that your manager has to confer with this employee's boss, so be it.
Sick days are awarded for a reason. Said employee has to use them and see a doctor. Coughing fits this intense simply means that the employee is doing a significantly less than adequate job of managing his coughing on his own - That's disruptive. And this employee's health problem could easily become the health problem of a whole bunch of others - That's not acceptable. At least, to me.
answered Apr 10 '15 at 20:17
Vietnhi Phuvan
68.9k7118254
4
This assumes facts not in evidence. There are a number of pharmaceuticals that cause pretty much what the OP describes. Someone I know was on one of those drugs for a time and sounded like death warmed over.
– Blrfl
Apr 12 '15 at 12:28
@Blrfl Do I look like a medical doctor to you? You sure don't look like one to me. Out to see the doctor he goes. And he doesn't come back until he comes back with a doctor's note saying that he is not a danger to anyone your anecdotes notwhistanding.
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Apr 13 '15 at 1:22
@VietnhiPhuvan How do you, or the OP, know he hasn't done that already? The OP hasn't mentioned that he has talked to the guy in question or his manager expressing his concerns, AFAICT.
– Iker
Jun 29 '17 at 6:17
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
4
down vote
Earplugs. Headphones. Tolerance. Treating them with the same respect and consideration you would want if you had a bad cough for some noncontagious reason.
That isn't an unofficial solution. That's the only solution.
answered Apr 12 '15 at 2:15
keshlam
41.5k1267144
2
Of course treating co-workers with respect is important. I'm not sure why anyone would assume otherwise. That said, a bad cough is a bad cough and a manger should have the power to make accommodations. Tolerance, respect and consideration should be part of any solution, but there are many solutions.
– DA.
Apr 12 '15 at 5:28
2
There isn't much a manager can do about this short of sending the cougher home, and fixing it on the listener's side is easy. Expecting others to fix this for you feels unrealistic to me. Ymmv.
– keshlam
Apr 12 '15 at 14:12
@keshlam Why on Earth wouldn't a manager send a contagious employee home? You make it sound like it's some kind of unthinkable drastic action.
– Kyle Delaney
Apr 23 at 20:18
I strongly disagree. While you're sick you have some obligations to others to keep them safe.
– tymtam
Jun 13 at 0:56
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up vote
3
down vote
If this isn't something that started up recently it's probably not due to something contagious, but rather some internal medical issue.
As such, the boss has no reason to send him home.
answered Apr 10 '15 at 21:35
Loren Pechtel
28937
2
A good boss, properly enabled, should make sure their employees have a workspace that best accommodates them and their co-workers. If a worker is a disruption to others, ideally there'd be some effort to make things work out for all parties.
– DA.
Apr 12 '15 at 2:23
@DA. But that will probably take second place to the risk of an ADA issue.
– Loren Pechtel
Apr 12 '15 at 3:14
I'm certainly not proposing that discrimination happen. If this is a chronic issue, that's one thing. If it's a matter of "work from home until you fell better" that's something entirely different. That said, even if it's a chronic illness, there's no reason to assume they'd not be better accommodated in a different environment. Never hurts to ask (when asked in an appropriate manner, of course)
– DA.
Apr 12 '15 at 5:27
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up vote
0
down vote
As someone who has one of these coughs, we know it annoys the people around us. It annoys us too! We would give anything for it to stop but for me, it doesn't between the months of October and May. It hurts to constantly cough. Abs are always sore, chest and throat is always raw and some times taste like iron/blood. It also makes it awkward to laugh when a co-worker says a joke and you have to choose between letting yourself laugh or risking a cough that can make you pass out (yes, I have passed out from laughing at work due to my cough).
I am sorry it annoys you and you have health concerns. Please also try to be considerate of the fact we are very conscious about it! When I first started working at my new job, the lady on the other side of my cubicle complained to my manager about my cough and he sent me home early a few times. It's rather embarrassing and frustrating because it is something I can't control.
To solve your issue, I would also look to take the more patience route. If you are allowed headphones/music try wearing it for part of the day. See if there is an empty desk you can move to that is further away.
Also talking to your own manager may not be a bad idea. Just because they aren't his manager doesn't mean they don't know about him. His manager may have emailed all the other managers to inform them of his cough should there be any concerns. Your manager might tell you that it's just an asthma reaction, or they may say, you know, I have noticed this cough too. I should find out if it has any contagious implications since some of you are concerned.
Please also note that PTO/Sick days are valuable. If I stayed home every day that my cough was bad, I would be out of vacation days within the first 2 months of getting them. If your company offers work from home and he is able to do so, maybe your company can offer him the ability to work from home on days he feels really bad.
Either way, Good luck! I hope I was able to at least give you a first hand account of what it is like from our side with the goal that you may end up being a little more understanding.
answered Jun 27 '17 at 21:12
ggiaquin16
496213
Have you worked from home?
– Kyle Delaney
Apr 23 at 20:21
1
@KyleDelaney I would love to... but So far... both jobs that had the options to do so have the mentality "If you are too sick to come to work, you are too sick to work from home".... so I get to burn my sick days due to ignorance.
– ggiaquin16
Apr 23 at 20:24
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4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
4
down vote
Confer with your manager and have the manager take steps to send the employee home. If this means that your manager has to confer with this employee's boss, so be it.
Sick days are awarded for a reason. Said employee has to use them and see a doctor. Coughing fits this intense simply means that the employee is doing a significantly less than adequate job of managing his coughing on his own - That's disruptive. And this employee's health problem could easily become the health problem of a whole bunch of others - That's not acceptable. At least, to me.
answered Apr 10 '15 at 20:17
Vietnhi Phuvan
68.9k7118254
4
This assumes facts not in evidence. There are a number of pharmaceuticals that cause pretty much what the OP describes. Someone I know was on one of those drugs for a time and sounded like death warmed over.
– Blrfl
Apr 12 '15 at 12:28
@Blrfl Do I look like a medical doctor to you? You sure don't look like one to me. Out to see the doctor he goes. And he doesn't come back until he comes back with a doctor's note saying that he is not a danger to anyone your anecdotes notwhistanding.
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Apr 13 '15 at 1:22
@VietnhiPhuvan How do you, or the OP, know he hasn't done that already? The OP hasn't mentioned that he has talked to the guy in question or his manager expressing his concerns, AFAICT.
– Iker
Jun 29 '17 at 6:17
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
4
down vote
Confer with your manager and have the manager take steps to send the employee home. If this means that your manager has to confer with this employee's boss, so be it.
Sick days are awarded for a reason. Said employee has to use them and see a doctor. Coughing fits this intense simply means that the employee is doing a significantly less than adequate job of managing his coughing on his own - That's disruptive. And this employee's health problem could easily become the health problem of a whole bunch of others - That's not acceptable. At least, to me.
answered Apr 10 '15 at 20:17
Vietnhi Phuvan
68.9k7118254
4
This assumes facts not in evidence. There are a number of pharmaceuticals that cause pretty much what the OP describes. Someone I know was on one of those drugs for a time and sounded like death warmed over.
– Blrfl
Apr 12 '15 at 12:28
@Blrfl Do I look like a medical doctor to you? You sure don't look like one to me. Out to see the doctor he goes. And he doesn't come back until he comes back with a doctor's note saying that he is not a danger to anyone your anecdotes notwhistanding.
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Apr 13 '15 at 1:22
@VietnhiPhuvan How do you, or the OP, know he hasn't done that already? The OP hasn't mentioned that he has talked to the guy in question or his manager expressing his concerns, AFAICT.
– Iker
Jun 29 '17 at 6:17
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
4
down vote
up vote
4
down vote
Confer with your manager and have the manager take steps to send the employee home. If this means that your manager has to confer with this employee's boss, so be it.
Sick days are awarded for a reason. Said employee has to use them and see a doctor. Coughing fits this intense simply means that the employee is doing a significantly less than adequate job of managing his coughing on his own - That's disruptive. And this employee's health problem could easily become the health problem of a whole bunch of others - That's not acceptable. At least, to me.
answered Apr 10 '15 at 20:17
Vietnhi Phuvan
68.9k7118254
Confer with your manager and have the manager take steps to send the employee home. If this means that your manager has to confer with this employee's boss, so be it.
Sick days are awarded for a reason. Said employee has to use them and see a doctor. Coughing fits this intense simply means that the employee is doing a significantly less than adequate job of managing his coughing on his own - That's disruptive. And this employee's health problem could easily become the health problem of a whole bunch of others - That's not acceptable. At least, to me.
answered Apr 10 '15 at 20:17
Vietnhi Phuvan
68.9k7118254
answered Apr 10 '15 at 20:17
Vietnhi Phuvan
68.9k7118254
answered Apr 10 '15 at 20:17
Vietnhi Phuvan
68.9k7118254
answered Apr 10 '15 at 20:17
Vietnhi Phuvan
68.9k7118254
68.9k7118254
4
This assumes facts not in evidence. There are a number of pharmaceuticals that cause pretty much what the OP describes. Someone I know was on one of those drugs for a time and sounded like death warmed over.
– Blrfl
Apr 12 '15 at 12:28
@Blrfl Do I look like a medical doctor to you? You sure don't look like one to me. Out to see the doctor he goes. And he doesn't come back until he comes back with a doctor's note saying that he is not a danger to anyone your anecdotes notwhistanding.
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Apr 13 '15 at 1:22
@VietnhiPhuvan How do you, or the OP, know he hasn't done that already? The OP hasn't mentioned that he has talked to the guy in question or his manager expressing his concerns, AFAICT.
– Iker
Jun 29 '17 at 6:17
suggest improvements |Â
4
This assumes facts not in evidence. There are a number of pharmaceuticals that cause pretty much what the OP describes. Someone I know was on one of those drugs for a time and sounded like death warmed over.
– Blrfl
Apr 12 '15 at 12:28
@Blrfl Do I look like a medical doctor to you? You sure don't look like one to me. Out to see the doctor he goes. And he doesn't come back until he comes back with a doctor's note saying that he is not a danger to anyone your anecdotes notwhistanding.
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Apr 13 '15 at 1:22
@VietnhiPhuvan How do you, or the OP, know he hasn't done that already? The OP hasn't mentioned that he has talked to the guy in question or his manager expressing his concerns, AFAICT.
– Iker
Jun 29 '17 at 6:17
4
4
This assumes facts not in evidence. There are a number of pharmaceuticals that cause pretty much what the OP describes. Someone I know was on one of those drugs for a time and sounded like death warmed over.
– Blrfl
Apr 12 '15 at 12:28
This assumes facts not in evidence. There are a number of pharmaceuticals that cause pretty much what the OP describes. Someone I know was on one of those drugs for a time and sounded like death warmed over.
– Blrfl
Apr 12 '15 at 12:28
@Blrfl Do I look like a medical doctor to you? You sure don't look like one to me. Out to see the doctor he goes. And he doesn't come back until he comes back with a doctor's note saying that he is not a danger to anyone your anecdotes notwhistanding.
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Apr 13 '15 at 1:22
@Blrfl Do I look like a medical doctor to you? You sure don't look like one to me. Out to see the doctor he goes. And he doesn't come back until he comes back with a doctor's note saying that he is not a danger to anyone your anecdotes notwhistanding.
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Apr 13 '15 at 1:22
@VietnhiPhuvan How do you, or the OP, know he hasn't done that already? The OP hasn't mentioned that he has talked to the guy in question or his manager expressing his concerns, AFAICT.
– Iker
Jun 29 '17 at 6:17
@VietnhiPhuvan How do you, or the OP, know he hasn't done that already? The OP hasn't mentioned that he has talked to the guy in question or his manager expressing his concerns, AFAICT.
– Iker
Jun 29 '17 at 6:17
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
4
down vote
Earplugs. Headphones. Tolerance. Treating them with the same respect and consideration you would want if you had a bad cough for some noncontagious reason.
That isn't an unofficial solution. That's the only solution.
answered Apr 12 '15 at 2:15
keshlam
41.5k1267144
2
Of course treating co-workers with respect is important. I'm not sure why anyone would assume otherwise. That said, a bad cough is a bad cough and a manger should have the power to make accommodations. Tolerance, respect and consideration should be part of any solution, but there are many solutions.
– DA.
Apr 12 '15 at 5:28
2
There isn't much a manager can do about this short of sending the cougher home, and fixing it on the listener's side is easy. Expecting others to fix this for you feels unrealistic to me. Ymmv.
– keshlam
Apr 12 '15 at 14:12
@keshlam Why on Earth wouldn't a manager send a contagious employee home? You make it sound like it's some kind of unthinkable drastic action.
– Kyle Delaney
Apr 23 at 20:18
I strongly disagree. While you're sick you have some obligations to others to keep them safe.
– tymtam
Jun 13 at 0:56
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
4
down vote
Earplugs. Headphones. Tolerance. Treating them with the same respect and consideration you would want if you had a bad cough for some noncontagious reason.
That isn't an unofficial solution. That's the only solution.
answered Apr 12 '15 at 2:15
keshlam
41.5k1267144
2
Of course treating co-workers with respect is important. I'm not sure why anyone would assume otherwise. That said, a bad cough is a bad cough and a manger should have the power to make accommodations. Tolerance, respect and consideration should be part of any solution, but there are many solutions.
– DA.
Apr 12 '15 at 5:28
2
There isn't much a manager can do about this short of sending the cougher home, and fixing it on the listener's side is easy. Expecting others to fix this for you feels unrealistic to me. Ymmv.
– keshlam
Apr 12 '15 at 14:12
@keshlam Why on Earth wouldn't a manager send a contagious employee home? You make it sound like it's some kind of unthinkable drastic action.
– Kyle Delaney
Apr 23 at 20:18
I strongly disagree. While you're sick you have some obligations to others to keep them safe.
– tymtam
Jun 13 at 0:56
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
4
down vote
up vote
4
down vote
Earplugs. Headphones. Tolerance. Treating them with the same respect and consideration you would want if you had a bad cough for some noncontagious reason.
That isn't an unofficial solution. That's the only solution.
answered Apr 12 '15 at 2:15
keshlam
41.5k1267144
Earplugs. Headphones. Tolerance. Treating them with the same respect and consideration you would want if you had a bad cough for some noncontagious reason.
That isn't an unofficial solution. That's the only solution.
answered Apr 12 '15 at 2:15
keshlam
41.5k1267144
answered Apr 12 '15 at 2:15
keshlam
41.5k1267144
answered Apr 12 '15 at 2:15
keshlam
41.5k1267144
answered Apr 12 '15 at 2:15
keshlam
41.5k1267144
41.5k1267144
2
Of course treating co-workers with respect is important. I'm not sure why anyone would assume otherwise. That said, a bad cough is a bad cough and a manger should have the power to make accommodations. Tolerance, respect and consideration should be part of any solution, but there are many solutions.
– DA.
Apr 12 '15 at 5:28
2
There isn't much a manager can do about this short of sending the cougher home, and fixing it on the listener's side is easy. Expecting others to fix this for you feels unrealistic to me. Ymmv.
– keshlam
Apr 12 '15 at 14:12
@keshlam Why on Earth wouldn't a manager send a contagious employee home? You make it sound like it's some kind of unthinkable drastic action.
– Kyle Delaney
Apr 23 at 20:18
I strongly disagree. While you're sick you have some obligations to others to keep them safe.
– tymtam
Jun 13 at 0:56
suggest improvements |Â
2
Of course treating co-workers with respect is important. I'm not sure why anyone would assume otherwise. That said, a bad cough is a bad cough and a manger should have the power to make accommodations. Tolerance, respect and consideration should be part of any solution, but there are many solutions.
– DA.
Apr 12 '15 at 5:28
2
There isn't much a manager can do about this short of sending the cougher home, and fixing it on the listener's side is easy. Expecting others to fix this for you feels unrealistic to me. Ymmv.
– keshlam
Apr 12 '15 at 14:12
@keshlam Why on Earth wouldn't a manager send a contagious employee home? You make it sound like it's some kind of unthinkable drastic action.
– Kyle Delaney
Apr 23 at 20:18
I strongly disagree. While you're sick you have some obligations to others to keep them safe.
– tymtam
Jun 13 at 0:56
2
2
Of course treating co-workers with respect is important. I'm not sure why anyone would assume otherwise. That said, a bad cough is a bad cough and a manger should have the power to make accommodations. Tolerance, respect and consideration should be part of any solution, but there are many solutions.
– DA.
Apr 12 '15 at 5:28
Of course treating co-workers with respect is important. I'm not sure why anyone would assume otherwise. That said, a bad cough is a bad cough and a manger should have the power to make accommodations. Tolerance, respect and consideration should be part of any solution, but there are many solutions.
– DA.
Apr 12 '15 at 5:28
2
2
There isn't much a manager can do about this short of sending the cougher home, and fixing it on the listener's side is easy. Expecting others to fix this for you feels unrealistic to me. Ymmv.
– keshlam
Apr 12 '15 at 14:12
There isn't much a manager can do about this short of sending the cougher home, and fixing it on the listener's side is easy. Expecting others to fix this for you feels unrealistic to me. Ymmv.
– keshlam
Apr 12 '15 at 14:12
@keshlam Why on Earth wouldn't a manager send a contagious employee home? You make it sound like it's some kind of unthinkable drastic action.
– Kyle Delaney
Apr 23 at 20:18
@keshlam Why on Earth wouldn't a manager send a contagious employee home? You make it sound like it's some kind of unthinkable drastic action.
– Kyle Delaney
Apr 23 at 20:18
I strongly disagree. While you're sick you have some obligations to others to keep them safe.
– tymtam
Jun 13 at 0:56
I strongly disagree. While you're sick you have some obligations to others to keep them safe.
– tymtam
Jun 13 at 0:56
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
3
down vote
If this isn't something that started up recently it's probably not due to something contagious, but rather some internal medical issue.
As such, the boss has no reason to send him home.
answered Apr 10 '15 at 21:35
Loren Pechtel
28937
2
A good boss, properly enabled, should make sure their employees have a workspace that best accommodates them and their co-workers. If a worker is a disruption to others, ideally there'd be some effort to make things work out for all parties.
– DA.
Apr 12 '15 at 2:23
@DA. But that will probably take second place to the risk of an ADA issue.
– Loren Pechtel
Apr 12 '15 at 3:14
I'm certainly not proposing that discrimination happen. If this is a chronic issue, that's one thing. If it's a matter of "work from home until you fell better" that's something entirely different. That said, even if it's a chronic illness, there's no reason to assume they'd not be better accommodated in a different environment. Never hurts to ask (when asked in an appropriate manner, of course)
– DA.
Apr 12 '15 at 5:27
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
3
down vote
If this isn't something that started up recently it's probably not due to something contagious, but rather some internal medical issue.
As such, the boss has no reason to send him home.
answered Apr 10 '15 at 21:35
Loren Pechtel
28937
2
A good boss, properly enabled, should make sure their employees have a workspace that best accommodates them and their co-workers. If a worker is a disruption to others, ideally there'd be some effort to make things work out for all parties.
– DA.
Apr 12 '15 at 2:23
@DA. But that will probably take second place to the risk of an ADA issue.
– Loren Pechtel
Apr 12 '15 at 3:14
I'm certainly not proposing that discrimination happen. If this is a chronic issue, that's one thing. If it's a matter of "work from home until you fell better" that's something entirely different. That said, even if it's a chronic illness, there's no reason to assume they'd not be better accommodated in a different environment. Never hurts to ask (when asked in an appropriate manner, of course)
– DA.
Apr 12 '15 at 5:27
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
3
down vote
up vote
3
down vote
If this isn't something that started up recently it's probably not due to something contagious, but rather some internal medical issue.
As such, the boss has no reason to send him home.
answered Apr 10 '15 at 21:35
Loren Pechtel
28937
If this isn't something that started up recently it's probably not due to something contagious, but rather some internal medical issue.
As such, the boss has no reason to send him home.
answered Apr 10 '15 at 21:35
Loren Pechtel
28937
answered Apr 10 '15 at 21:35
Loren Pechtel
28937
answered Apr 10 '15 at 21:35
Loren Pechtel
28937
answered Apr 10 '15 at 21:35
Loren Pechtel
28937
28937
2
A good boss, properly enabled, should make sure their employees have a workspace that best accommodates them and their co-workers. If a worker is a disruption to others, ideally there'd be some effort to make things work out for all parties.
– DA.
Apr 12 '15 at 2:23
@DA. But that will probably take second place to the risk of an ADA issue.
– Loren Pechtel
Apr 12 '15 at 3:14
I'm certainly not proposing that discrimination happen. If this is a chronic issue, that's one thing. If it's a matter of "work from home until you fell better" that's something entirely different. That said, even if it's a chronic illness, there's no reason to assume they'd not be better accommodated in a different environment. Never hurts to ask (when asked in an appropriate manner, of course)
– DA.
Apr 12 '15 at 5:27
suggest improvements |Â
2
A good boss, properly enabled, should make sure their employees have a workspace that best accommodates them and their co-workers. If a worker is a disruption to others, ideally there'd be some effort to make things work out for all parties.
– DA.
Apr 12 '15 at 2:23
@DA. But that will probably take second place to the risk of an ADA issue.
– Loren Pechtel
Apr 12 '15 at 3:14
I'm certainly not proposing that discrimination happen. If this is a chronic issue, that's one thing. If it's a matter of "work from home until you fell better" that's something entirely different. That said, even if it's a chronic illness, there's no reason to assume they'd not be better accommodated in a different environment. Never hurts to ask (when asked in an appropriate manner, of course)
– DA.
Apr 12 '15 at 5:27
2
2
A good boss, properly enabled, should make sure their employees have a workspace that best accommodates them and their co-workers. If a worker is a disruption to others, ideally there'd be some effort to make things work out for all parties.
– DA.
Apr 12 '15 at 2:23
A good boss, properly enabled, should make sure their employees have a workspace that best accommodates them and their co-workers. If a worker is a disruption to others, ideally there'd be some effort to make things work out for all parties.
– DA.
Apr 12 '15 at 2:23
@DA. But that will probably take second place to the risk of an ADA issue.
– Loren Pechtel
Apr 12 '15 at 3:14
@DA. But that will probably take second place to the risk of an ADA issue.
– Loren Pechtel
Apr 12 '15 at 3:14
I'm certainly not proposing that discrimination happen. If this is a chronic issue, that's one thing. If it's a matter of "work from home until you fell better" that's something entirely different. That said, even if it's a chronic illness, there's no reason to assume they'd not be better accommodated in a different environment. Never hurts to ask (when asked in an appropriate manner, of course)
– DA.
Apr 12 '15 at 5:27
I'm certainly not proposing that discrimination happen. If this is a chronic issue, that's one thing. If it's a matter of "work from home until you fell better" that's something entirely different. That said, even if it's a chronic illness, there's no reason to assume they'd not be better accommodated in a different environment. Never hurts to ask (when asked in an appropriate manner, of course)
– DA.
Apr 12 '15 at 5:27
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
0
down vote
As someone who has one of these coughs, we know it annoys the people around us. It annoys us too! We would give anything for it to stop but for me, it doesn't between the months of October and May. It hurts to constantly cough. Abs are always sore, chest and throat is always raw and some times taste like iron/blood. It also makes it awkward to laugh when a co-worker says a joke and you have to choose between letting yourself laugh or risking a cough that can make you pass out (yes, I have passed out from laughing at work due to my cough).
I am sorry it annoys you and you have health concerns. Please also try to be considerate of the fact we are very conscious about it! When I first started working at my new job, the lady on the other side of my cubicle complained to my manager about my cough and he sent me home early a few times. It's rather embarrassing and frustrating because it is something I can't control.
To solve your issue, I would also look to take the more patience route. If you are allowed headphones/music try wearing it for part of the day. See if there is an empty desk you can move to that is further away.
Also talking to your own manager may not be a bad idea. Just because they aren't his manager doesn't mean they don't know about him. His manager may have emailed all the other managers to inform them of his cough should there be any concerns. Your manager might tell you that it's just an asthma reaction, or they may say, you know, I have noticed this cough too. I should find out if it has any contagious implications since some of you are concerned.
Please also note that PTO/Sick days are valuable. If I stayed home every day that my cough was bad, I would be out of vacation days within the first 2 months of getting them. If your company offers work from home and he is able to do so, maybe your company can offer him the ability to work from home on days he feels really bad.
Either way, Good luck! I hope I was able to at least give you a first hand account of what it is like from our side with the goal that you may end up being a little more understanding.
answered Jun 27 '17 at 21:12
ggiaquin16
496213
Have you worked from home?
– Kyle Delaney
Apr 23 at 20:21
1
@KyleDelaney I would love to... but So far... both jobs that had the options to do so have the mentality "If you are too sick to come to work, you are too sick to work from home".... so I get to burn my sick days due to ignorance.
– ggiaquin16
Apr 23 at 20:24
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
0
down vote
As someone who has one of these coughs, we know it annoys the people around us. It annoys us too! We would give anything for it to stop but for me, it doesn't between the months of October and May. It hurts to constantly cough. Abs are always sore, chest and throat is always raw and some times taste like iron/blood. It also makes it awkward to laugh when a co-worker says a joke and you have to choose between letting yourself laugh or risking a cough that can make you pass out (yes, I have passed out from laughing at work due to my cough).
I am sorry it annoys you and you have health concerns. Please also try to be considerate of the fact we are very conscious about it! When I first started working at my new job, the lady on the other side of my cubicle complained to my manager about my cough and he sent me home early a few times. It's rather embarrassing and frustrating because it is something I can't control.
To solve your issue, I would also look to take the more patience route. If you are allowed headphones/music try wearing it for part of the day. See if there is an empty desk you can move to that is further away.
Also talking to your own manager may not be a bad idea. Just because they aren't his manager doesn't mean they don't know about him. His manager may have emailed all the other managers to inform them of his cough should there be any concerns. Your manager might tell you that it's just an asthma reaction, or they may say, you know, I have noticed this cough too. I should find out if it has any contagious implications since some of you are concerned.
Please also note that PTO/Sick days are valuable. If I stayed home every day that my cough was bad, I would be out of vacation days within the first 2 months of getting them. If your company offers work from home and he is able to do so, maybe your company can offer him the ability to work from home on days he feels really bad.
Either way, Good luck! I hope I was able to at least give you a first hand account of what it is like from our side with the goal that you may end up being a little more understanding.
answered Jun 27 '17 at 21:12
ggiaquin16
496213
Have you worked from home?
– Kyle Delaney
Apr 23 at 20:21
1
@KyleDelaney I would love to... but So far... both jobs that had the options to do so have the mentality "If you are too sick to come to work, you are too sick to work from home".... so I get to burn my sick days due to ignorance.
– ggiaquin16
Apr 23 at 20:24
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
As someone who has one of these coughs, we know it annoys the people around us. It annoys us too! We would give anything for it to stop but for me, it doesn't between the months of October and May. It hurts to constantly cough. Abs are always sore, chest and throat is always raw and some times taste like iron/blood. It also makes it awkward to laugh when a co-worker says a joke and you have to choose between letting yourself laugh or risking a cough that can make you pass out (yes, I have passed out from laughing at work due to my cough).
I am sorry it annoys you and you have health concerns. Please also try to be considerate of the fact we are very conscious about it! When I first started working at my new job, the lady on the other side of my cubicle complained to my manager about my cough and he sent me home early a few times. It's rather embarrassing and frustrating because it is something I can't control.
To solve your issue, I would also look to take the more patience route. If you are allowed headphones/music try wearing it for part of the day. See if there is an empty desk you can move to that is further away.
Also talking to your own manager may not be a bad idea. Just because they aren't his manager doesn't mean they don't know about him. His manager may have emailed all the other managers to inform them of his cough should there be any concerns. Your manager might tell you that it's just an asthma reaction, or they may say, you know, I have noticed this cough too. I should find out if it has any contagious implications since some of you are concerned.
Please also note that PTO/Sick days are valuable. If I stayed home every day that my cough was bad, I would be out of vacation days within the first 2 months of getting them. If your company offers work from home and he is able to do so, maybe your company can offer him the ability to work from home on days he feels really bad.
Either way, Good luck! I hope I was able to at least give you a first hand account of what it is like from our side with the goal that you may end up being a little more understanding.
answered Jun 27 '17 at 21:12
ggiaquin16
496213
As someone who has one of these coughs, we know it annoys the people around us. It annoys us too! We would give anything for it to stop but for me, it doesn't between the months of October and May. It hurts to constantly cough. Abs are always sore, chest and throat is always raw and some times taste like iron/blood. It also makes it awkward to laugh when a co-worker says a joke and you have to choose between letting yourself laugh or risking a cough that can make you pass out (yes, I have passed out from laughing at work due to my cough).
I am sorry it annoys you and you have health concerns. Please also try to be considerate of the fact we are very conscious about it! When I first started working at my new job, the lady on the other side of my cubicle complained to my manager about my cough and he sent me home early a few times. It's rather embarrassing and frustrating because it is something I can't control.
To solve your issue, I would also look to take the more patience route. If you are allowed headphones/music try wearing it for part of the day. See if there is an empty desk you can move to that is further away.
Also talking to your own manager may not be a bad idea. Just because they aren't his manager doesn't mean they don't know about him. His manager may have emailed all the other managers to inform them of his cough should there be any concerns. Your manager might tell you that it's just an asthma reaction, or they may say, you know, I have noticed this cough too. I should find out if it has any contagious implications since some of you are concerned.
Please also note that PTO/Sick days are valuable. If I stayed home every day that my cough was bad, I would be out of vacation days within the first 2 months of getting them. If your company offers work from home and he is able to do so, maybe your company can offer him the ability to work from home on days he feels really bad.
Either way, Good luck! I hope I was able to at least give you a first hand account of what it is like from our side with the goal that you may end up being a little more understanding.
answered Jun 27 '17 at 21:12
ggiaquin16
496213
answered Jun 27 '17 at 21:12
ggiaquin16
496213
answered Jun 27 '17 at 21:12
ggiaquin16
496213
answered Jun 27 '17 at 21:12
ggiaquin16
496213
496213
Have you worked from home?
– Kyle Delaney
Apr 23 at 20:21
1
@KyleDelaney I would love to... but So far... both jobs that had the options to do so have the mentality "If you are too sick to come to work, you are too sick to work from home".... so I get to burn my sick days due to ignorance.
– ggiaquin16
Apr 23 at 20:24
suggest improvements |Â
Have you worked from home?
– Kyle Delaney
Apr 23 at 20:21
1
@KyleDelaney I would love to... but So far... both jobs that had the options to do so have the mentality "If you are too sick to come to work, you are too sick to work from home".... so I get to burn my sick days due to ignorance.
– ggiaquin16
Apr 23 at 20:24
Have you worked from home?
– Kyle Delaney
Apr 23 at 20:21
Have you worked from home?
– Kyle Delaney
Apr 23 at 20:21
1
1
@KyleDelaney I would love to... but So far... both jobs that had the options to do so have the mentality "If you are too sick to come to work, you are too sick to work from home".... so I get to burn my sick days due to ignorance.
– ggiaquin16
Apr 23 at 20:24
@KyleDelaney I would love to... but So far... both jobs that had the options to do so have the mentality "If you are too sick to come to work, you are too sick to work from home".... so I get to burn my sick days due to ignorance.
– ggiaquin16
Apr 23 at 20:24
suggest improvements |Â
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1
is this something that just started today, or something that's been going on for weeks?
– Kate Gregory
Apr 10 '15 at 19:46
2
"For whatever reasons this person does not stay home sick." What is your sick policy? The actual one, not the official one. Maybe the root problem is something that can only be fixed high up the chain (though I doubt anything about you or this other employee will convince them to fix it).
– Lawtonfogle
Apr 10 '15 at 19:49
1
Have you talked to him? Surely he knows that everyone is aware of his coughing. Can't you just say that you're concerned for him and find out if he's contagious and why he's continuing to work when he's ill? You can't decide on a best course of action without more information. If he's putting you all at risk, it's much more urgent to get him out of the office. If he's not contagious, then it's more of noise/distraction problem.
– ColleenV
Apr 10 '15 at 20:50
1
possible duplicate of What can I do when another employee is sick?
– Jim G.
Apr 12 '15 at 15:44
1
have a co-worker who is constantly sniffing, clearing her throat, etc. Asked if it was seasonal allergies, in passing conversation. Winds up, she has one of the most common forms of Tourette's Syndrome, and that's how it manifests itself (instead of the more dramatic outbursts of obscenities we see in movies or on TV shows). Tread very carefully and consider whether this is actually a concern for your health, or if you're trying to find a way to get rid of a minor annoyance. You don't know what the actual issue is, and you don't want to wind up looking like a jerk in this.
– PoloHoleSet
Jun 27 '17 at 17:05