Showing up to work sick no longer a ‘badge of honor,’ survey shows

October 22, 2025

Woodinville, WA — Do you go to work when you’re sick? Nearly 1 out of 3 people would prefer you didn’t, results of a recent survey show.

Energy drink producer Zipfizz commissioned an online survey of 2,000 Americans to learn about their approaches to cold and flu and the “evolving etiquette around rest and recovery.”

Thirty-one percent of respondents said going into work while coughing or fighting through sickness shouldn’t be considered a badge of honor. Despite this, around 1 out of 4 said they strongly believe showing up sick would impress bosses or superiors.

Although 20% of the respondents said they had attended a work or social gathering in the past year while feeling ill, 86% are concerned for their own well-being when a colleague comes to work visibly sick.

Other findings:

• Only 22% of the respondents who are employed feel pressure from an employer to show up when they aren’t feeling well.

• The top reasons for coming to work sick: “I had already committed” (28%) and “I couldn’t afford to miss work” (27%).

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• 42% said their relationship with someone would be negatively affected if they showed up sick, with 64% saying the behavior is “selfish.”

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• 57% agreed that expectations of others coming in sick have changed since the COVID-19 pandemic.

• 70% are more cautious about hygiene and illness now than before the pandemic.

“As we continue to adapt to new expectation around health, it’s clear that people are becoming more mindful of how their actions affect others,” Zipfizz spokesperson Marcela Kanalos said in a press release.

“The rise in remote work and virtual meetings, combined with an increased focus on hygiene and personal well-being, reflects a broader understanding that health isn’t just about feeling better – it’s about respecting the health of those around you.”