Sharing cars with ill colleagues

[BjornAgain81]

My job frequently (as in most days) requires me to spend several hours in a car with a colleague.

On Monday I had to spend most of the day driving round with a colleague who was absolutely full of cold. Predictably, I'm now sat here with a pounding head, runny nose, and feeling absolutely devoid of energy. I've had to cancel a second date I was due to go on tomorrow (was really looking forward to it) and I'm in a bit of a quandary in that I really can afford to take tomorrow off - person I'm out with doesn't drive and project we're working on really can't suffer any further delay.

Obv it's too late this time, but WIBU to flatly refuse to spend all day in a car with an ill person next time? I'm not generally precious about this kind of thing but I feel utterly wretched right now and it's totally ruined my week.

If you go to work tomorrow full of cold wont you just be passing the pain along?

If you go to work tomorrow full of cold wont you just be passing the pain along?

That's part of my concern and tbh I'm not sure what to do as there's not really any resource to cover me. I'm working on a bid which is about to go to proofreading stage and any delays could now jeopardise us hitting the deadline and thus cost my employer a £4m contract.

That's probably what your colleague was worried about too...

I know colds are crap but they are everywhere and can't be helped.

Why do you have to drive them around though?? Not your fault if they can't drive!

If your head hurts too much and you are tired then you cannot spend the day driving around so take the day off. If higher ups complain tell them to request sick non-drivers don't come into work and pass their illnesses on.

Presumably your colleague also felt unable to call in sick. Given you’re doing the same tomorrow I’m not sure you can demand not to work with anyone with a cold. Unless you have medical reasons giving you reduced immunity I don’t think such a request is likely to stand.

Hope you feel better soon!