Life Happens: What Every Employee Should Know about Missing Work

Missing work can be very stressful. For some, missing a single day can lead to major financial misfortune. For others, it can set back projects or make promotions less likely. No matter the field in which you work, you will eventually miss a day. It’s important that you understand a few facts about missing work and how they might impact your future.

Illness Impacts Business

On one hand, it’s important for employees to know that illness does impact businesses negatively. Your employer may well tell you that you are leaving him or her short-handed or that you are making things more difficult at work. You should also understand, however, that sick employees are also less effective and can infect others. As such, it’s important for you to keep your own health in mind and to understand that taking a day off of work may well be the best thing that you can do for your employer in the long run.

Injuries Require Time to Heal

Working hurt isn’t terribly unusual in many fields. While many workers feel like they have to walk off injuries in order to keep making money, it’s important to remember that working hurt can have horrifying long-term consequences. If you go into work hurt instead of visiting a doctor, you could risk not only injuring yourself but causing injuries for others. It’s important that you take care of yourself well enough to do your job without putting anyone else in danger- even if that means not coming into work so you can heal.

Liability Issues Are Real

Despite the efforts of employers to convince employees otherwise, getting hurt on the job is something that your employer needs to worry about. If you get hurt on the job, your employer may be liable and may owe you a certain duty of care. If you are hurt and you are forced back to work early—or even fired—you may need to contact a personal injury lawyer to protect you. Once you’re hurt, you need to make sure that you’re being treated properly and that any compensation or care offered is really in your own best interest.
It’s always important for you to keep your own health in mind when you are ill or you have been hurt. Don’t come to work if it’s going to put your health in jeopardy and certainly don’t excuse an employer’s negligence simply because you fear for your job. Injuries and illness are a part of life, and you shouldn’t have to fear for your job because of either.

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