"Carl has a special talent for showing up to work obviously sick and acting as if it is a virtue. It starts with a little sniffle and a bright announcement that he is "totally fine." By the next day he is coughing constantly, his voice is scratchy, his eyes look watery and he is still insisting it is allergies or "just a little thing.""
"He is also very social when he is sick. He loves stopping by desks to chat. He leans in to show you something on his phone. He offers to help by borrowing your stapler or hovering over your computer screen. Then he coughs into his hand and touches the office door handle, the coffee pot and the communal pen like he is trying to make sure his germs have a full social life, too."
A coworker frequently comes to the small office visibly ill, claiming allergies or that it is "just a little thing," then develops constant coughing and watery eyes. He circulates through the workplace, leaning over desks, showing his phone, borrowing supplies and touching communal items after coughing into his hand. Gentle hints from coworkers to stay home or work remotely have been met with laughter and pride about "toughing it out." Several colleagues include parents and an immunocompromised person, creating real health risks. The situation calls for clear, civil boundary-setting: a direct but polite request to stay home when contagious, offering alternatives and involving management or HR if behavior persists.
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