Bits of Life

VII. Your Health Matters, Their Opinion Doesn't.

If you have read from the beginning, you would probably remember my friend who we call Chris Colfer.

Chris had caught the flu a few weeks ago. It caused him to have an intolerable cough, swollen throat, and partial loss of voice. Amid this condition, he went to work but was tactful enough to visit their company clinic and have him checked by their company physician. He was given a couple of prescription medicines he would have to take for a week including antibiotics.

Because of being sick, Chris was unable to be productive and had to miss work. He respectfully informed his immediate supervisor of his condition and the actions he had taken in order to be well. Unfortunately, he was unable to secure a medical certificate from the company physician who checked on him and was reprimanded for being absent from work without the proper certification. Sad to say, even though Chris was able to provide notice to his supervisor, the supervisor, let's call him Lou, and their manager tagged him as a "No-Call, No-Show" (NCNS) absentee.

In most companies, to be tagged as NCNS is a major offense. Chris' supervisor, Lou, is also making unnecessary comments about Chris not taking his request for a medical certificate seriously - when in fact it should be easily requested from the company physician who checked on Chris. It turned out, Lou already had a high rate of absenteeism from his team and wanted to avoid it as much as possible - even though his people called in sick and were unable to work.

Chris went back to work after a few days, still his throat is swollen, voice partially lost, and still coughing. After that day returning to the office, he decided to take more days off to rest and see another doctor who specializes in cases as his. He was given medical advice to rest further, another set of prescription medications, was subjected to laboratory tests and is scheduled to come back for a follow up checkup.

Lou, getting this news, still demanded that Chris come back to work after the prescribed days off to rest - without even asking how the employee is doing well or if the employee is already capable of coming back.

The above story, no matter how triggering, is not about Lou's leadership style nor how unlawful he is in implementing employment rules. This is also not about how unfair Lou is to his staff amid his goal to lower down absenteeism from his team. Rather, this is about Chris, who courageously took himself and his health more important than the opinion of his supervisor or manager.

In a third-world country like the Philippines, it is not easy to miss work and not be granted your Sick Leave even though you are truly unwell (just because the company doctor failed to issue a medical certificate). This would mean unauthorized absence and salary deductions equal to the number of days you were out of the office. Most employees in the Philippines would rather endure sickness and come to work than have their small earnings further deducted. But is it really worth it?

Coming from an experience when I got hit by Covid-19 during the early days of pandemic, amidst my doctor sending over medical certification that I needed more days to recuperate, my previous company insisted that I return to work and sent an order to my house in writing. They are facing workforce struggles and need more people back on the job. The very moment I received that HR letter, I sent back a letter telling that I am resigning immediately. My health is way more important than my employment. I could go on without having a job, get my health better, and find a more employee-oriented company. I am happy to share that I am now affiliated in a company that shares the same values that I have, especially in maintaining employee wellbeing.

This is why I admire Chris. For standing up to his right to health and get better because his good shape matters more than the opinion and demands of others. Let us not forget that we work for our wellbeing and comfort, and if work stands in the way of our health, our health is more important. Also remember that no one at work is replaceable, but your health is not. Always choose to safeguard your health. Always choose You.