Reporting Sick During Pandemic

 

The Covid-19 pandemic may have disrupted our lives in many ways, but one of the worst-hit is 'reporting sick' for duty.

For many of us this used to be the first resort to bunk office and the most common excuse was fever, followed by splitting headache. The motivation for reporting sick could be many: going for a newly-released movie, shopping, celebrate the win of your favourite football team or to mourn its shock defeat; or something much more serious like attending a job interview of a rival firm.

The managers used to take it with a pinch of salt - while the stricter ones demanded explanation the next day, the more benevolent ones used to accept it with a wink.

Now the pandemic has totally redefined fever, cold, body ache and loss of taste and they are no longer something we can trifle about. While in the pre-Covid days body ache and loss of taste were often used to buttress one's case for reporting sick with a reluctant superior, now it invites alarm and social distancing.

During zoom calls even an accidental sneeze is seen as a major faux pas. The Manager will ask "Are you okay", while other colleagues will give you a very concerned why-don't-you-see-a-doctor look.

Things have now come to such a pass that even a common cold or fever is seen as a big misfortune. You try not to report to anyone and keep everything under the radar. The first stop is self-medication of time-tested tonics and tablets. Hypochondria sets in, and the moment the mercury strays beyond the normal mark, its paracetamol time.

If this proves ineffective, one reluctantly visits the friendly neighbourhood doctor or a hospital. The sight of doctors and other medical personnel in face shields and PPE kits at hospitals looks quite intimidating. If the doctor suspects the worst, a bevy of tests follow. It is one of those rare moments in your life when you pray for a negative outcome of tests.

Meanwhile, the office is kept in the dark. No eagerness to apply for leave this time and all out efforts are made to prevent any signals that your nosy colleagues' or boss' antennae may pick up.

However, this is not to conclude that 'reporting sick' has become totally extinct. They have come down drastically and the excuses have changed - neck or back pain, stomach upset or tooth ache are the new favourites.

 

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