Why do you stay home from work if you are sick with diarrhea or vomiting?

Staying home from work when experiencing diarrhea or vomiting is crucial primarily because of the risk of spreading illness to others. These symptoms can be indicative of infectious conditions, such as norovirus orother gastrointestinal illnesses, which are highly contagious. When employees come to work in such a state, they can easily transmit the pathogens to coworkers, customers, and food, thus increasing the potential for an outbreak within the workplace.

Beyond the aspect of contagion, other factors such as productivity, fatigue, and recovery time play a role in the decision to stay home. However, the priority is to prevent the transmission of illness, especially in environments where food is being handled. Proper hygiene and ensuring that ill employees do not interact with food or other people help maintain a safe environment, which is crucial in the food service industry. Therefore, the primary reason for remaining at home during such illness is to protect the health of others.