Is it an American thing to have to worry about losing your job because you're sick?

A lot of jobs in America want people to be in constant worry about losing their jobs over about anything.

Seems like it. We had sick leave for a benefit but our manager would write us up if we took 24 hours or more every 3 months, unless we had been hospitalized or had an injury and couldn’t work at all. If you got the flu and took off a week you’d get written up, for example. Then if you took 24 hour or more of unscheduled leave three 3-month periods in a row they would terminate us. When I retired after 25 years I had 1800 hours of sick/emergency time. I did take all of my vacation time but it was scheduled time. Most of the sick/unscheduled time that I did take was for my daughter. I did take 2 days in a row off one time and it was because I had strep throat twice in a month’s time. My daughter was young and since I had never been off work like that she started worrying that I was going to die.

I work in a kitchen and people come in to work sick all the time, coughing all over everything. Working around kids means we are constantly sick, but there's no way we could cope if people had to stay home every time. The workplace policy says we shouldn't be there, but that's just not practical.

Wearing a mask will help a bit with the contagion but I'd say to possibly leave a couple hours early. You just can't function fully or well with the flu. Say," I'm sorry but I can't continue I'm too ill, and it's just how it is"

It's the same for me, I know we're short staffed but man I'm contagious, it's concerning how they never cared about that.
I'm so sorry, get well soon! I hope they let you take a rest.

I had no sick days, PTO days etc left due to daughter being sick, so when I got sick I had to work or take unpaid time off. Couldn't do that for long or you lose your job. So I worked sick. Then if course people are like, why are you here?

I can't get over people having to work and use holiday through cancer treatments, or the fact that maternity leave isnt an actual thing.

My country isn't the best, but we seem to have a few fair better basic human rights over America.

I think it's more of an extortion thing to make you pay into the health care industry. If you pay doctors for a written excuse you're good. If you just know you're sick save the money and take care of yourself that's bad...could lose your job and it go on your permanent record.

In America most workers are just another resource to be exploited. Healing thoughts, positive vibes and hope your better soon.

The place you work doesnt offer any paid time off ? Sick leave? It's mandatory here in Washington.

So go and cough and sneeze all over them. They will send you home. Sorry.

It's the American way