Because of the swine flu pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued guidelines for businesses that prompted some employers to allow workers to telecommute on sick days or when their children were sick. Though the swine flu is no longer an issue, that "perk" of allowing part-time telecommuting on sick days. But frankly many may not want to telecommute on sick days, but prefer to stay home and recover.
Decide when to telecommute.
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When you're sick, with the swine flu or not, the last thing you may want to do on sick days is work from home...or from anywhere. So when should you telecommute and when should you take a sick day? Sometimes it's clear that you need to take a sick day, but other times you might be tempted to tough it out and go to the office. This is the time to consider telecommuting.
Of course, the first thing you'll need to telecommute is permission from your employer and a job that can be done remotely. If you've got this, here are some reasons to consider telecommuting when sick rather than taking a sick day:
Feeling better but possibly still contagious.
The CDC swine flu guidelines say: "Workers who have symptoms of influenza-like illness are recommended to stay home and not come to work until at least 24 hours after their fever has resolved."
So if your fever is gone, you may still be home for one or more sick days. If you feel up to it, this might be the time to telecommute. The same might be true of strep throat or other illnesses treated with antibiotics. Ask your doctor when you are no longer contagious.
Injury makes commuting difficult.
If you have an injury that makes commuting to work or difficult or impossible, talk to your boss about telecommuting on sick days. Point out that you may be much more productive at home if you don't spend all your energy maneuvering on crutches to get to work.
Need frequent rest periods.
If you're recovering from an illness or have a chronic illness, you may tire more easily. Being able to take frequent breaks and avoiding the commute may make you more productive than you would be in an office.Telecommute a half day.
If you've recovered enough to work half days, telecommuting those half days and taking sick days for the other half may speed your recovery by allowing you to skip the commute.
