Boss's Reaction to Worker Calling in Sick Surprises Internet: 'In Tears'

By Soo Kim On 1/26/23 at 7:44 AM EST

Work Employment Work Workers Rights TikTok

A video highlighting a sympathetic boss's response to an employee taking a sick day has gone viral on TikTok, where it has received 1.5 million views.

The video, shared by TikToker @chloebartuska, was posted with a caption that said: "How to handle employees calling in sick 101 #corporate #corporatelife #corporateamerica #pto #sicktime #manager."

The video showed a woman sitting at a desk, who said: "This is what my director said when I asked to take yesterday off because I was in the ER [emergency room] the night before." She then read aloud an email exchange with her director.

Feeling anxious about calling in sick at work? You're not alone. According to a survey of 2,000 workers in the U.S., conducted by OnePoll for telehealth provider MDLIVE, 42 percent were more stressed or anxious in 2020 about taking a sick day for themselves or to care for another person than in prior years.

Worker calling out sick on phone. — A stock image shows a man looking ill while speaking on the phone. A video highlighting a sympathetic boss's reaction to a worker calling in sick has gone viral on TikTok. iStock / Getty Images Plus

"Sick day stress" was "substantially higher" among those working remotely, compared with those working in person, according to the survey.

The study also reported that stress and anxiety were the key reasons for requiring time off. More than half of workers (55 percent) were more likely to take a sick day in 2020 for mental health reasons than in previous years.

@chloebartuska
How to handle employees calling in sick 101 #corporate #corporatelife #corporateamerica #pto #sicktime #manager
♬ original sound - Chloe

Dr. Cynthia Zelis, chief medical officer at MDLIVE, said in January 2021: "The sick day experience, meant to enable workers to set aside their worries to focus on rest and recovery from illness, has for many people morphed into full-blown stress and anxiety due to the changing dynamics and blurred lines between work, home and family."

In a February 2021 survey of nearly 1,500 people from 46 countries, conducted by Harvard Business Review, half of those surveyed said a decline in mental health, including greater stress, anxiety and burnout, was the biggest contributor to the change in their general well-being. Eight percent said "lack of leader support" played the biggest role in the decline of their general well-being.

According to the TikTok poster, she emailed her director to say: "Hey, I was in the ER for a long time last night for chest pain that I've been having all weekend. Everything is okay, I just need to take care of myself. So I'm going to take the day off to rest and most likely will check in here and there. See you tomorrow."

The poster said her director replied: "Good grief Chloe!! PLEASE take time to take care of yourself."

With the text highlighted in yellow, the director continued: "Take as much time as you need and try not to worry about work. I know it's hard but your health is paramount. The circus will always be here, even when we're not. Do take care!!"