As the coronavirus spreads into a global pandemic, people around the world are starting to consider different measures to keep themselves and their neighbors safe, such as staying home from work or public places, especially if they are feeling ill. Unfortunately, staying home from work isn’t an option for many of us who live paycheck to paycheck, as paid sick leave is hard to come by, and just a few days out of work could cause a financial disaster.
For people who deal with the public, especially those in food service, being unable to stay home while sick could create a health hazard for anyone that they serve.
Writer Lauren Hough reflected on her previous experience in the service industry and shared her thoughts on Twitter about how the industry’s work culture could encourage the spread of illness.
https://twitter.com/laurenthehough/status/1232945568974016512
https://twitter.com/laurenthehough/status/1232954827417759744
It’s bad enough that you’re not paid enough to survive at most of these jobs and can’t afford a day off. I pulled shifts as a barista with walking pneumonia because if I called in sick I’d be fired. That’s normal. That’s the fucking service industry. So, fingers-crossed I guess.
— Lauren Hough (@laurenthehough) February 27, 2020
You work in an office and someone comes in sick, everyone’s mad at that asshole. I’m guessing. I’ve seen the tweets. I’m not familiar with that culture. I’ve always worked in the culture where working sick was praised and calling out meant you were a weak sack of shit.
— Lauren Hough (@laurenthehough) February 27, 2020
Call out, even if they don’t shitcan you right there, they will make sure you know exactly how bad you’re fucking everyone over. Come to work and spread strep throat, flu, or, you know, some virus going around, you’re a team player, might even get a ten cent raise next quarter.
— Lauren Hough (@laurenthehough) February 27, 2020
This is every restaurant, every grocery store, every big box store, every cable company, plumbing company, home healthcare, maid service, hotel, delivery service, coffee shop, oil change shop, just about every hourly job in the country.
— Lauren Hough (@laurenthehough) February 27, 2020
Most of the people to comment on her post seemed to agree with her, and they shared their own stories of working sick in the industry.
I have watched people PRIDE themselves on working through illness and injury. I had a driver break his foot by stepping on a tennis ball in someone's driveway, and then work another four days on a broken foot on ibuprofen and spite.
Flu-like symptoms?
Fuck out of here. pic.twitter.com/yo97CEg4wa
— Find Nome on Bluesky (@NomeDaBarbarian) February 27, 2020
Luckily, in some areas, measures are being announced that would help service workers if they get sick or if they are in an area that has been asked to quarantine. In Italy, one of the regions that is currently feeling the worst of the outbreak, the country’s deputy economic minister announced that they will be suspending mortgage payments for those who are unable to pay.
Legislation has been proposed in some parts of the United States, which would guarantee paid sick leave during the coronavirus outbreak. Meanwhile, companies like Darden Restaurants, which owns the Olive Garden, have voluntarily implemented new measures to offer employees more paid sick time.
IMAFE FEATURED: Jozef Polc