Man Flu

[mybike]

What I've got is clearly not man flu as the wife has started with it. Frst indications were hiccups on New Years Eve.

 

[ColinJ]

In a rare serious moment, I hate the term "man flu". I find it demeaning. It can be amusing, yes, but it's almost akin to "time of the month" for women.

And I hate moralistic people saying that those who are ill should go in to work unless they are half dead. They would probably only be able to work at about 20% of their normal productivity and inevitably 3 or 4 colleagues end up in the same situation after catching their lurgy. It would be much better all round if sick people isolated themselves and left the able-bodied to carry on!

(Obviously, there are exceptions, but most offices would not miss a few people for a few days here and there.)

 

[snorri]

It would be much better all round if sick people isolated themselves and left the able-bodied to carry on!

That's what I was trying to say Colin, why don't they hide under a blanket silently and let the rest of us CycleChat to our hearts content without interuptions?

 

[classic33]

You lot won't be laughing when I succumb and shuffle off this mortal coil.

Oh, hold on a minute - of course you will!

 

[vernon]

And I hate moralistic people saying that those who are ill should go in to work unless they are half dead. They would probably only be able to work at about 20% of their normal productivity and inevitably 3 or 4 colleagues end up in the same situation after catching their lurgy. It would be much better all round if sick people isolated themselves and left the able-bodied to carry on!

You can tell that you haven't been in paid employment for a while.

Try using your anti-moralistic line on the amoral management of the twenty-first century and you'd be laughed out of your job and all the way into the Job Centre.

 

[ColinJ]

You can tell that you haven't been in paid employment for a while.

Try using your anti-moralistic line on the amoral management of the twenty-first century and you'd be laughed out of your job and all the way into the Job Centre.

It was the same back then ... EXAMPLE.

 

[vernon]

It was the same back then ... EXAMPLE.

That's a different issue. "Impartial' HR and management led absence pattern monitoring and return to work interviews coupled with escalating consequences is now the thing that causes workers to go to work when they would better off staying at home. The primary aim of such measures was to improve attendance by discouraging the malingerers and habitual shirkers from having days off without good cause the unintended consequences are that workers who are clearly unwell, attend work rather than face the 'return to work interviews' and the attendant forensic analysis of the reasons for absence, the likelihood of future absence, what the company/institute can do to help the returnee upon their return to work, what the returnee is doing to reduce the likelihood of similar absences etc.

I addition there are the guilt trip phrases such as 'you've increased the workload of your colleagues', 'your absence has affected the productivity/efficiency of the unit/department' that are sometimes added.

Used sensitively and correctly absence pattern monitoring can improve attendance of those fit for work. Used insensitively and as a blunt instrument, it creates a climate of fear and exacerbates the very problems that you described. No peer pressure is involved. It's management pressure.

 

[ColinJ]

That's a different issue. "Impartial' HR and management led absence pattern monitoring and return to work interviews coupled with escalating consequences is now the thing that causes workers to go to work when they would better off staying at home. The primary aim of such measures was to improve attendance by discouraging the malingerers and habitual shirkers from having days off without good cause the unintended consequences are that workers who are clearly unwell, attend work rather than face the 'return to work interviews' and the attendant forensic analysis of the reasons for absence, the likelihood of future absence, what the company/institute can do to help the returnee upon their return to work, what the returnee is doing to reduce the likelihood of similar absences etc.

I addition there are the guilt trip phrases such as 'you've increased the workload of your colleagues', 'your absence has affected the productivity/efficiency of the unit/department' that are sometimes added.

Used sensitively and correctly absence pattern monitoring can improve attendance of those fit for work. Used insensitively and as a blunt instrument, it creates a climate of fear and exacerbates the very problems that you described. No peer pressure is involved. It's management pressure.

The MD at the company was doing his own 'absence pattern monitoring' - LINK!

 

[Saluki]

Got man flu. It not nice. I've struggled on the last few days but awoke this morning to find my voice has gone, so decided to phone in sick.

Problem is, the "sickline" at work is a dedicated number that uses voice recognition, and after 10 minutes of struggling and trying to shout "Sergeant 635 Bernard Farquhar" at it but managing only a faint croak I was no close to achieving my goals, so I gave up without managing to book sick.

I should've been at my desk for 0600, and if anyone has noticed my absence they're clearly not worried. Currently over 3.5 hours over due and no one has tried to call.

That sounds like you are actually ill. Not Man Flu at all. Surely Man Flu is when you feel a wee bit sniffly and cop on you are dying.

 

[Drago]

I was hoping to feel a bit better this morning but after a crappy nights sleep I actually feel worse. Still no sign of my voice.

 

[welsh dragon]

I was hoping to feel a bit better this morning but after a crappy nights sleep I actually feel worse. Still no sign of my voice.

All joking aside drago, I hope you feel better soon.

 

[Levo-Lon]

New Years eve..kissing disease @Drago ..
You sound like you have a nasty bug..gws

 

[Drago]

Thanks buddy. I'm sure I'll live!

I just don't like being icky and feeling so useless.

 

[mybike]

I was hoping to feel a bit better this morning but after a crappy nights sleep I actually feel worse. Still no sign of my voice.

Day 3 here, day 2 I felt worse, today I feel marginally better. I spent the night in an armchair, which helped. OH seem to be well into it now.

 

[Drago]

Feeling a bit more human now. If this trend continues I'll be back tomorrow, albeit I'll drive in for a change.