Going to work when unfit

[Cottongusset]

I work in an open plan office. There is a culture in the Firm that you need to go to work when you are ill to prove that you are ill before you dare to take a few days off. These people cough and splutter and snot everywhere and spread their germs and after infecting other people take some sick leave. Hand hygiene is non existent for some colleagues - they go into the kitchen sneezing and spluttering with snotty tissues clutched in their sweaty hands and handle coffee/tea canisters and milk cartons - it (literally) makes me sick. What do you think about Firms who encourage people to come in when they are unfit for work and make you feel like you have to show you are unwell before taking time off?

Well it's ridiculous because they're going to infect other people and produce shit work themselves probably before eventually calling in sick. Pointless.

Having a cold or cough doesn’t usually mean being unfit for work. Sounds like the main issue is hygiene.

Coughs and colds are not illnesses that require time off work usually. If we all took time off with a cold there'd have been nobody in our workplace the last 2 weeks.

I work in hospitality, the only time no one calls you lazy for being off sick is if you are actually in hospital. I hate it!

A cough or a cold doesn't mean you're unfit to work IMHO. Now if it's anything with a temperature or D&V, you should be at home.
Hygiene is a separate issue and yes, what you are discribing would gross me out.

I am in work with a cold at the moment. I am not snotty, I just have a niggly headache and feel congested in my head and around my eyes.

I have my own cup which I bring in and take home every day to wash and bring in my own little pot of milk (only have 1 cup of tea in a morning).

I sit away from everyone whilst eating my lunch and I am pretty self contained at my desk.

I have hand sanitiser and have amended my duties slightly so I'm not constantly touching the printer etc.

I feel well enough to work, and to be honest, if other people want to come in and be ill around me (I am on immunosuppressant medication) then the least I can do is return the favour (Light Hearted)