I have pto so basically for whatever reason. Surgery? Flu? Passed gas too hard and my bum hurts? Calling in.

If you’re not feeling 100%, take a day.

Variables being: do you like your job?

Is your employer a fair employer?

Will the business crumble if you’re not there? I mean, if it does, that’s a company problem, not a you problem.

You should be working to live, not the other way around.

I work in a hospital, so if I have symptoms I stay home. Can’t risk spreading germs to people with suppressed immune systems.

If I have enough PTO saved up, I’ll take “mental health days”. It’s none of the employers business why you take it if they offer PTO accrual as a benefit. I just email my lead either the night before or in the morning saying “I’ll be out today”. Period. No more and no less. No excuses. No rational. I earned it; it’s mine; I’m using it, that’s it.

So I don’t have to be so sick that I can’t get out of bed. Or a fever. If I’m feeling under the weather and I have the time, I’ll take it. I do that instead of taking a solid 2 week vacation at one time during the year.

Is it something you can pass to others and/or do you feel not OK enough to actually work? Don’t go

If I think about whether I should call in sick or not, I call in sick. No benefit in going to work sick or even just a bit under the weather. But I’m not in the US and I get (almost) unlimited PTO for sick leave.

Do I feel so bad I want to just lie down? I’ll call in sick.

Am I at risk of yarfing or shitting my pants? I’ll work from home.

Otherwise, I go to work.

I call it in, but I live in the Netherlands so our laws care for our wellbeing (at least in this respect)

I would say if you feel sick call in.

Personally I called in even with a headache or when I wasn’t in the right headspace to work properly. Take care of yourself first.

Depending on how your company handles things of course.

Are you a student?

If you’re not a student you should call sick as many times as you can without getting fired, your boss can wait a few more days per year before buying a new car.

If I have sick days I wouldn’t even hesitate.

I call my family doctor, she decides if she wants me to come for a checkup or give it a day and see if symptoms persist. Employer get notified automatically if I’m on sick leave and i call my direct superior to tell them i won’t be there.

If I’m sick.

That’s it.

If it’s very mild then whatever but I’m not going to work if I feel like absolute shit.

If you’re thinking about it, then just do it, tbh. Listen to your body.