Sick leave

Sammy had to take a few days off work recently on the orders of her doctor because she was "stressed, giddy and sick" and now she is raked with guilt.

"I never take my sick leave. Would this have a detrimental effect on my future career prospects? What is the norm when it comes to taking sick leave when you really are feeling sick? While I felt terrible and not 100 per cent, I can't help feeling guilty." Sammy, stop feeling guilty now! If you do not take sick leave when you are genuinely sick you can end up with some nasty conditions like chronic fatigue or reoccurring colds and bouts of flu.

You are not doing your employer any favours by dragging yourself to work. You cannot operate at full capacity when sick and if you have something like flu, you could spread it. Interestingly, CareerOne commissioned Newspoll to carry out some research on this topic last year and we found many people dragged themselves to work when sick. People don't want to overburden colleagues or let the side down in any way.

However, my message to everyone is please, stay home and rest and heal when you're sick and don't feel bad about it.  If you are in a workplace that makes you feel bad for taking some rare sick leave when genuinely sick, consider changing jobs.

It concerns me Sammy that you were sick due to stress. Could you be carrying too great a load at work? Is it time to review some of your duties with a manager to see if someone else can help or another job can be created?

If you break down and can no longer work, you are helping no one, least of all yourself.

By Kate Southam, Editor of careerone.com.au.

For more useful tips read the other stories in the Job Hunting Advice section and Ask Kate Column.