In a great recent panel discussion on worker rights, comedian and actress Amy Poehler shared her own reluctance to call in sick. As she has done across her trailblazing career on “Saturday Night Live,” “Parks and Recreation” and beyond! During the shooting of one critical scene—between Baldwin and Poehler—Poehler was working through a 104 degree temperature and she didn’t skip a day of shooting. This ruling points to a larger problem with workplace culture.
Most recently, Poehler shared why she feels its important to fight the stigma around taking a leave of absence for one’s health. As she said, the guilty feelings don’t really go away for high achievers like herself, but they shouldn’t tell us to stop taking care of ourselves first. She contends that this approach is due to a learned response, rooted in the decades-old “productivity myth.” This myth valorizes busyness as a badge of significance.
“I think that we were sold a productivity myth — like, hustle, hustle, hustle — and it’s really ingrained in us,” – Amy Poehler
Allison Tibbs, a Bay Area-based, wellness-oriented executive coach, echoes Poehler’s sentiments. She calls attention to the lack of a large-scale preparedness mindset. This shift is crucial in building a more sustainable work culture, one that allows all employees to take sick days without worrying about being labeled as lazy.
Tibbs was particularly excited about how much the Covid-19 pandemic has changed attitudes about sick days. As a society, most of us understand that it is irresponsible to be contagious and go to work. Too many take on others’ less sympathetic views and still face a burden to “tough it out” when they’re tired or sick.
“You’re still successful, you’re still amazing, you’re still worthy. You can still be productive and take a day off,” – Allison Tibbs
Poehler’s reflections resonate with many in today’s workforce, particularly as busy schedules often serve as a “badge of honor.” She underscored that the time for talking about sick days has never been better as we pivot back into this new workplace environment.
She pointed out that employees often attach their value as a human being to their ability to be productive, which leads them down the path of overwork.
“People think that’s a weird statistic because they’re like, ‘Well, okay. Maybe not something to brag about.’ And I’m like, ‘Is it not?’” – Amy Poehler
Don’t feel guilty about taking time off. It’s okay to step away from work when you’re feeling mentally or physically unwell. Poehler starts a much-needed conversation about why we all need to practice self-care. Artist and activist Tibbs is behind this message, encouraging workers to put their well-being first in our fast-paced world.