Until recently, I had not had a regular 40 hours per week type job for more that a year (the last semester of my instructor job doesn't count). I had not had a significant respiratory ailment for more than a year. Within three weeks of taking such a job, I had strep throat.

Coincidence? I think not.

People in this country (USA) don't go home when they're sick. Not even people who work for a Major HMO such as the one I'm temping at. Of course, I didn't either, or did so as little as possible, but I have an excuse -- I won't get paid if I go home.

But my salaried direct co-workers? What's their excuse? They get darn little done, and spread illness so that even more working time is lost. If they go home, they get paid sick leave. And I'm sure they have better benefits than I do.

But from regional VP to bottom-rank analyst, they stay on the job as if the company will fall apart without them. They come in hacking, wheezing, and so out of it that I really cringe for them.

It's been the same at every job I've ever had. Dammit, go home, corporate America! Go home at the first sign of a sniffle, and stay there sucking up chicken soup or the equivalent until you're actually healthy.

--- END RANT ---