Sick and Fired

Career-driven employees just can't afford to be sick these days

If you want to hold a steady job, you can't afford to be sick. If you want to climb the corporate ladder, you can't afford to be sick. And if you don't have good health coverage, you certainly can't afford to be sick.

In these demanding, competitive, capitalistic waters that we're all treading, a perfect attendance record is one of the keys to staying afloat. That's because perfect attendance means you're dedicated to your job. It means you don't make excuses. It means you're making sacrifices for the "good of the company."

Unfortunately, those sacrifices are usually bigger than canceling dinner with your significant other or bailing on poker night. Sometimes we sacrifice our health (not to mention our mental stability) for the good of the company. Working weekends and holidays, or long hours that cut into much needed sleep time. Or not taking a lunch or dinner break, thinking, "A can of soda and some M&M's at the vending machine will get me by."

The unhealthy devotion to a company or career path can start to take its toll -- well beyond sacrificing free time spent with friends or family. The lack of sleep -- either from having to work too long a day or from restless nights stressing over that big project or overbearing boss -- is one of the first culprits to the unhealthy corporate lifestyle.

The long days filled with short breaks are a natural fit for quick-fix meals and sugary snacks -- vending machine treats, soda or coffee for a caffeine jolt and fast food ordered in to munch on at the computer. But maybe a select few have the time to counter the unhealthy levels of sleep and junk food with some much-needed exercise. But we'll bet our stake that we would've spent at poker night (had we had the time to play) that more often than not, that gym membership card is not getting used too often. That the spa coupon expired long ago. And those cross-training sneakers, with barely a speck of dirt on them, are about to go out of style.

That's because many of today's young, corporate employees are flexing their career muscles to the point of exhaustion. The toxic combination of working much more than 40 hours a week, job-related stress, lack of sleep, poor nutrition, dearth of exercise and the occasional happy-hour indulgence can only lead to one thing: poor health.

Sure, some people's bodies have a higher tolerance for these dangerous side effects of the corporate climb, but at some point, mentally or physically, things are bound to catch up. The body will naturally become more susceptible to illness (especially when many are working in close quarters and traveling on public transportation with other sick folks).

But what happens when the go-getter employee becomes sick? Seldom does she take a day off. Or even take an hour or two out of the day to see a doctor. Why? Because that never-ending team project is perpetually due yesterday, and she plays an integral role in making sure that project meets or exceeds management's expectations. And she needs to ace this project for her chance at moving up to the next rung in her department.

Yet even with allotted sick days, few (aside from the slacker, Office Space type) take advantage of that Get-Out-of-Work-Free card. Rather, they go to work -- coughing, sneezing, nose running, head pounding, stomach aching. Doesn't matter.

But here's the rub (no, not the VapoRub). If this overachiever-at-any-cost employee simply took a sick day or two, her body might have a chance to recover a bit. And, by not bringing her NyQuil commercial of symptoms to the office, she could save a dozen colleagues from getting the same weeklong sickness that she's harboring -- thus increasing the chances of the project being completed on time by healthy co-workers.

But will she take that chance? Hell, no. She'd rather sacrifice her health than sacrifice the chance of looking like the project slacker who took a day off when it came to crunch time on that crucial deal.

Is there a way to combat this "at any cost" mindset? Well, the bigger companies may boast a cafeteria serving up healthier eating options. Or maybe they have a gym on the premises for employees to use on a power lunch or right after work. Some nice choices, if the employee has the time. Of course, taking advantage of these services results in employees not leaving the office for a breath of fresh air over the course of their 16-hour workday, but in a city, maybe the air indoors is just as good.

Still, these on-site, healthy options only serve as a brief remedy to the larger problem -- that few will sacrifice job security or a chance at career advancement for the sake of their health.

Those willing to take a day off to rest or an hour to visit the doctor will quickly realize that job security isn't the only reason to stay at the office when they discover the price of their skimped health coverage, high co-payments and absurd prescription costs.

Diagnosis: Any way you slice it, in our career-driven society, you just cannot afford to be sick.