Corner Office: When Workers Get Sick

Dec. 4 -- A star athlete pulls a hamstring and there's no question: He goes out on the disabled list, he gets the best treatment, and, unless the injury is exceptionally severe, he comes back. No one — coaches, fans, teammates or sports writers — questions any of it.

What a contrast to what happens when the average employee gets sick or injured. She begs for time off to get treatment. She gets demoted to lesser jobs. Behind closed doors managers wonder, "How do we get rid of her?" And to her face they make it clear that her illness better not get in the way of her job performance.

Why this ugly disparity? It's simple: Sports teams understand that players are their greatest assets; the focus is on getting the player back, because losing him is expensive and painful. Many employers don't understand that employees are their greatest assets, so they believe it's easier and cheaper to replace someone than to face lost productivity or take a hit on their medical insurance premiums.

Wrong on both counts.

Because of this mistaken thinking, the problems faced by sick and injured employees have become so prevalent that Congress has taken action to protect them. The 1993 Family and Medical Leave Act, or FMLA, gives about 70 percent of the work force basic protections when they — or their loved ones — face a serious medical problem.

But the law is so complex that many people, employers and employees alike, don't understand it. Therefore, it's often used incorrectly or not at all. Almost a third of the work force isn't covered by the FMLA. And there are many aspects of managing an ill or injured employee that aren't addressed by the law.

Employees will get sick and injured, so this isn't an issue to ignore. Understanding the basics of the FMLA helps (and, if you're in a company with 50 or more employees, it's a necessity), but it isn't enough.

Go beyond the FMLA and imagine that all your employees are star players and the Super Bowl is approaching. Think about how you can help them get well — and come back.

Take Action

Encourage employees to stay healthy.

There's no magic wand to keep employees from getting sick. But encouraging healthful behavior can significantly reduce the risk. If you work for a large company that has a wellness program, encourage employees to use it. If you don't have that resource, think about other things you can do: