Matthew Kimberley

You’re running a fever? You’ve put your back out and every little movement causes a low groan and dramatic wince? You’re running to the toilet every twenty minutes?

Stay at home!

Who do you think you are? Superman?

The world WILL not grind to a halt if you don’t turn up to work today. Whatever it is, it can wait! Like it or not, you’re dispensable! You’ve got a prospect you’ve been waiting to see for three months and today is your only chance? Call them, tell them what’s up. If they don’t understand, are they the kind of client you want to be working with?

My boss used to have a bad back. He’d sit in increasing discomfort through meetings and seminars, ignoring the pain. He knew full well that his work was far too important for him to miss a couple of days recuperating.

Can you see what’s coming?

He was admitted to hospital within ten days and spent five weeks in traction, his slipped disc alleviated through surgery and weights tied to the end of his legs. He couldn’t move to pick up his telephone. And guess what? Life went on! And guess what else? When he came back he continued where he left off, with a staff who were happy to see him recuperated and less grumpy!

I have another friend who insisted on showing up to work every day despite a bad bout of the gastric flu. She had to. It was the end of the financial year and her sales team were a couple of sales off their annual target. Thanks to her dedication they hit their targets, but the whole team missed their trip to Monaco because she’d passed on her germs to all of them.

Stay home, get better, come in next week when you’re feeling well.

(Written semi-prostrate on my couch, bad back and sore throat).