A Reddit exchange that I think about a lot is this: «What feels illegal but isn’t» «Calling in sick from work when you’re sick.» It’s so relatable, and put language to something we’ve all felt at one time or another. Even when I’m actually sick, calling out of work still gives me a rush of anxiety and guilt. I wish it didn’t, because it’s better for everyone in the long run if we don’t come in when we’re under the weather. We recover faster by resting, so we can get back to work sooner, and we lower the risk of passing on our illness to our coworkers. 

So why does it still feel so illegal? Because we have a toxic work culture that doesn’t prioritize health? Perhaps. An unlucky worker felt the real-life repercussions of this and quickly learned that that seemingly irrational fear is actually rational. I guess our fears our founded after all.