Taking a day off when you’re sick can sometimes come with a sense of guilt, especially when there’s work waiting to be done.
But one woman’s post about heading to the office despite being given medical leave prompted a sobering response from a netizen who recalled losing a former colleague.
Went to work despite having MC
In a social media post, the woman shared a photo of her medical certificate (MC) and poked fun at herself for choosing to work instead of resting.
Who’s the fool who got an MC but still went to work? Yes, that’s me,” she wrote.
Her post caught the attention of another user, who urged her to take the time off while acknowledging that she might have had her own reasons for showing up.
The user then shared a painful workplace memory that had stayed with them.
Recalled former HOD dying in an office chair
According to the commenter, their former head of department (HOD) had passed away while seated in a chair at the office.
They said they witnessed the incident from the beginning, right up to the moment the deceased’s body was covered with a white cloth.
This situation reminds me of my former HOD. They passed away in their chair at the office,” the user recalled.
The commenter described the late HOD as someone who struggled to step away from work, even when given time to rest.
On one occasion, the HOD reportedly chose not to take a full week of medical leave. Even while on annual leave, they continued working from home.
However, the account did not specify the cause of death.
‘Your company can find a replacement’
Drawing from that experience, the commenter urged others to put their wellbeing first.
Love yourself. Your company can find a replacement for you at any time, but your health cannot be replaced.”
Other netizens echoed the reminder, encouraging workers not to become so consumed by their jobs that their physical and mental wellbeing takes a back seat.
