How to Manage Illness at Work

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Finding time for yourself is also one way to manage illness at work


Falling ill can be one of two things: a slow process in which you are mentally prepared for it and have seen the signs developing, or a complete shock which can shake your world. 

One moment you’re plodding along with life, and the next, your productivity and abilities are affected by illness. Feeling unwell is not a welcoming feeling, that’s for sure. 

One of the most inconvenient situations about falling ill is to how to get through work. There may be some days when battling through deadlines or being expected to present to colleagues is a real challenge.

The reality is (depending on the severity) you can manage your condition and continue to work if you focus on your health and follow appropriate steps. 


Be open with your boss from the beginning


There is nothing more frustrating from a manager’s point of view than a colleague who takes secret sick days or needs doctors’ appointments at the drop of a hat. When your boss is in the dark about your illness, how can you expect them to be lenient when you feel your productivity levels drop in the workplace?

Of course, you don’t have to tell management everything about your illness. However, if it is going to affect your work, and you know you may need to see doctors, it is only fair they understand what you are going through. It will work to your favor in the long run because if they are kept in the dark, they may assume you have lost your passion for the job

Keep yourself hydrated


Although all illnesses have different effects, any form of being unwell usually plays havoc with your hydration levels. Most work locations, whether it be an office, store, or workshop, can be filled with air conditioning or heating units, and require you to remain sat in one place for hours on end. 

Keeping your hydration levels high in the workplace is crucial for those battling an illness. Your focus and energy levels will potentially be lower due to the illness. Therefore, any loss in hydration will feel much worse than if you were healthy. 

As well as keeping bottles of water topped up beside you, be aware of changes you can make to ensure hydration is to hand. There are many innovations now which can give you a boost when you’re suffering dehydration and need that instant pick-me-up, such as Reset IV flu recovery, a service where a registered nurse can come out to you and deliver medical-grade formulations that eliminate unwanted toxins, prone to causing nausea, fatigue, and headache.

Look at work adjustments


If your work schedule and daily tasks are making your illness worse, it could be worth sitting down with HR or management and discussing adjustments. For example, if you have a severe case of the flu and are staring at a computer screen for 8 hours a day, your eyes could be strained more, leading to headaches or watery eyes. 

Perhaps you are suffering bouts of sickness and need to work closer to toilets or need more breaks for fresh air. Assess if the way you’re working at the moment is impacting negatively on your health, and if so, it could be worth working to some changes. 

Take care of yourself


It’s impossible to perform to your highest levels if you are not taking good care of yourself. Whatever illness you are suffering, ensure that you try to eat a balanced diet and clock in enough hours sleep to get you through the working day. Don’t ignore any symptoms that might be getting worse even though you may receive new deadlines or assignments.  

Ensure you have people to talk to about your health, even if just that you are feeling ill without going into detail. This way, as soon as you start to feel unwell, you can communicate with others and prevent feeling awkward about leaving work to seek medical help. 


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