But what about if your symptoms are mild? Are you sick enough to take the day off, or should you push through it? And what if you feel pressured to work?

Here’s what to consider.

Are you likely to spread it?

So, whenever possible, avoid going into work when you’re feeling unwell.

Should I work from home?

Some employees join Zoom or Teams meetings out of guilt, not wanting to let their co-workers down.

A downside of powering through is that workers may prolong their illness by not looking after themselves.

Can you take leave when you need it?

There are, for example, 2.6 million casual employees who don’t have access to paid sick leave.

Many workers, such as casual employees and self-employed people, often don’t have much choice about whether or not to take a sick day. Source: Getty / FG Trade

Similarly, most self-employed people, such as tradies and gig workers, do not have any paid leave entitlements.

So a significant proportion of workers in Australia simply cannot afford to call in sick.

Why pushing through isn’t the answer

While exact figures are hard to determine, since most organisations don’t systematically track it, estimates suggest 30 to 90 per cent of employees work while sick at least once a year.

Research has found industry norms may be shaping the prevalence of ‘involuntary presenteeism’, with workers in the health and education sectors more likely to feel obligated to work when sick due to ‘at work’ caring responsibilities.

What can organisations do about it?