Dear Swine Flu at Work: What to do about the germ bandit?

Dear Swine Flu at Work: I work in a large company in the Midwest and there's this director level jerk who is sick. They think it's funny to not cover their mouth when they cough. As in they actually snigger after they spray someone with germ laden spittle.


How do I handle this?


Grossed Out Co-Worker

Dear Grossed Out Co-Worker:

You are not alone. Beyond the fact that we've heard of other incidents similar to this one, we're sure some of your co-workers are just as annoyed as you are. Here are your options on a sliding scale:


Most Passive: Say 'Cover your mouth' when they cough and offer them a surgical mask (they're inexpensive and come in boxes kind of like Kleenex). Enlist as many people as you can in a covert campaign to say this as often as possible to the jerk director.

Print 'Cover your mouth' signs and post them in your office and see if you can get approval to post them in the hallways and bathrooms under the guise of a broad based Swine Flu prevention program. If your employer has a safety program, approach the safety director about covering Swine Flu prevention as a safety meeting topic.

Somewhat More Direct: Pull them aside and have a come-to-Jesus talk. Don't hold back because you don't want to have to do this again. Be strong, don't wimp out. "Please stop hacking all over the staff. We don't want to get sick and your lack of personal hygiene and consideration for others is upsetting to everyone that works with you."

Document this discussion with a follow-up email or arrange for someone to witness the conversation so you have proof you did try to deal with the problem on your own (this helps if you have to become even more aggressive about getting the message across).

Even more Direct: Report the person to their boss or Human Resources. Use important buzzwords like 'highly contagious' and direct your complaint to the bottom line, emphasizing how much it will hurt the company to have large numbers of staff wiped out by one thoughtless person. Ideally you will have tried some of the other solutions presented here before going up the food chain as this will strengthen your case that intervention is needed.

Also arm yourself with the CDC's (and other authorities') suggestions for fighting swine flu at work because it's hard to blow off experts.

In addition, point out that the company has a legal and ethical obligation to ensure a safe workplace and if an employee with a chronic illness were to get sick due to the jerk's behavior, that could be the basis for a legal complaint given that they've now been formally notified of the problem. Companies hate to leave themselves open to lawsuits so if nothing else motivates them, this should.

Good luck. Keep us posted on how it goes.

The Swine Flu at Work Team

P.S. If you do get swine flu from this jerk, please let us know. We will hook you up with some sweet revenge scenarios.

photo credit for this post: Jeanell Norvell via iStockphoto