Sick leave or leave off

I nearly made my Cambodian colleague cry last week.

He was sick but would not take time off, despite vomiting every few minutes and talking and breathing like a smoker on 60 a day. We were having a staff meeting and after a particular bout of hacking and gagging I told him that he was being irresponsible and that he would make us sick too. I had just attended a bird flu seminar so I had all the info on respiratory infectious diseases. I told him he should go home and rest - that's what sick leave is for.

After my words, he said, almost raising his voice, that I didn't appreciate his dedication and commitment to his work and that the office would fall apart without him. His lower lip wobbled and he fled from the room.

Cruel ain't I!