If you have been diagnosed with an infectious disease, it is important that your follow the doctor’s orders for treating the symptoms and conditions related to the disease but what if you have a contagious medical issue and don’t know it? What if one of your co-workers has a condition that can be transmitted through the work environment?
Viral and bacterial infections like chicken pox, influenza, and meningitis can pose many additional medical problems which prove fatal to some people. Exposing an entire workplace to such medical issues can bring calamity. There have been many examples of the flu virus shutting down entire operations because everyone became sick at the same time. This is obviously no good for productivity within the company but can also be a serious problem for those who already have fragile health.
One way to ensure you are looking out for not only your own health but also that of your co-workers is to regularly see your doctor for physical exams and follow up with your doctor when you start to experience symptoms that are out of the norm. Stay out of work for a few days if you suspect you have a virus or contagious issue and seek a medical diagnosis as soon as possible. Some people are stubborn, insisting they are ‘okay’ to work but in reality end up exposing their entire workplace to health problems rather than missing out on pay.
Make sure to keep sick days for actual sicknesses rather than spending paid time off simply because you don’t feel like going to work one day. Using personal time off responsibly can help ensure you don’t lose out on wages when you have a genuine medical concern. A doctor can provide you with the medical proof you need to miss work legitimately and your employer will likely appreciate you staying away from the rest of the workforce.
If your infectious medical condition leaves you unable to work, you may be able to file a claim for Social Security benefits depending on the extent of your health problems. If you are not able to perform your normal job duties as a result of a disabling or chronic illness, it is best to seek the advice of our legal team. The evaluation is free so contact us toll free at 888-799-3918 or use our online contact form for more information.
