In American offices, a cultural shift is underway. More and more people no longer admire colleagues who come to work with a fever and a cough. Now that is more likely to hurt a reputation. According to a Talker Research survey, Generation Z and millennials are especially strict about these “heroes”: 64% of respondents said being sick and infecting others is selfish.
After the COVID-19 pandemic, people have become more careful about themselves and those around them. Washing hands, keeping distance and not showing up at the office with a runny nose has become the new standard of decency. Sharing drinks at a company event? No, thanks. Only 3% of respondents are willing to do that.
Corporate etiquette has become more flexible: if you are not feeling well, you can turn off your camera on Zoom, wrap yourself in a blanket and work from home. In 78% of cases, managers do not insist on a heroic effort, although employees themselves often fear letting down colleagues or losing money.
Taking care of yourself has become the new norm. Because a true professional is no longer the person who comes to the office on painkillers, but the one who knows when to mute themselves and recover. And true dedication to work is now measured not by the number of hours worked with a fever, but by the ability not to infect the whole team.
