Working while sick: Unsettling new norm that comes with remote work

As January prompts people to set goals, especially in the workplace, a disturbing trend emerges—working while sick has become an unfortunate norm, West Hawaii Today reported. 

The month, usually associated with new aspirations, is now marred by a wave of infections affecting 38 states, leading to "high or very high" levels of respiratory illness due to COVID-19, RSV, and the flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Despite the health risks, millions find themselves grappling with symptoms ranging from persistent coughs to fevers. Doctors emphasise staying home when sick, but the dilemma arises in a hybrid work life—what does "too sick to come to the office" mean for remote workers? The blurred lines make it challenging to justify using sick days, particularly with the ease of technology enabling work from home.

The current surge in illnesses leaves many in a strange limbo, where productivity continues, but individuals are unwell and possibly should rest. However, the normalisation of working through sickness began with the pandemic, as remote work made staying homeless consequential. 

This shift in work culture has led to a troubling scenario where even when genuinely sick, individuals may still find themselves checking emails or Slack due to the addictive nature of technology.

As the world enters a new year, the piece by West Hawaii Today suggests a reconsideration of goals—perhaps the ambition for the year should be to take a genuine day off when unwell.

The ongoing trend of working through illnesses raises concerns about the impact on employee well-being and the stress levels that have been steadily climbing over the past decade. The new normal demands a reevaluation of priorities during this goal-setting season.