Cold And Flu. Portrait Of Ill Woman Caught Cold, Feeling Sick And Sneezing In Paper Wipe. Closeup Of ... [+]
I loved getting sick as a kid. Well, when I wasn’t that sick. On days when I had a mild fever or bad cold, I’d lie on the couch all day watching Scrubs. I was a pretty Type-A child, and it was the only real break I used to give myself. “Being sick is awesome,” I’d say. However bad my body felt, I made up for it by putting my mind at ease.
Little did I know that as a freelancer, I might not be able to take sick leave. Sure, there have been times when I’ve gotten so ill I couldn’t keep my eyes open, and then I have no choice but to call in sick. But if I’m able to keep coffee down—no matter how sniffly I am—I often end up working.
Why? Because any sick day costs me money. I’m self-employed; I don’t get paid my salary when I don’t work. And I work from home, which means even if I’m full of phlegm and no one would want to look at me, I can be productive in the privacy of my own home.
It’s unfair that anyone should have to work sick. And as the pandemic showed us, it’s also dangerous. If you’re truly sick or contagious, it’s better for everyone to stay home—although 48% of self-employed people have worked through illnesses in the past year. If you want to avoid this situation, I’m here to help. Much of this advice is useful to those with full-time jobs, too; so many of us our pressured to work through illnesses. Consider the following tips.
Budget
This is such annoying advice, but unfortunately, it works. Set aside a portion of your income each month to cover unexpected expenses, including sick days. And don’t sped it on a $400 hair curler (learn from my mistakes!).
Be Upfront With Clients
If you do get sick and need to take time off work, tell your clients—don’t just hope you’ll be able to catch up when you feel better, or the stress of rushing to get well before they notice might prolong your illness. Let them know how long you expect to be out of commission and what your plan is for catching up on missed work.
Insure Yourself
Consider purchasing disability insurance, which can provide you with a steady stream of income if you become too sick or injured to work. This can help you cover your living expenses and bills during an extended period of illness. I don’t have it, but 14% of Americans do—and if you’re worried about losing income as a self-employed person, it might be worth it for you.
Take Advantage of Tax Deductions
“Taking advantage” is my favorite thing to do with a tax deduction. This can help you keep your healthcare costs low, which is particularly important if you’re also trying to budget for lost wages. As a freelancer, you may be eligible for tax deductions for expenses related to healthcare, including insurance premiums, medical expenses, and out-of-pocket costs.
Schedule Downtime
Consider scheduling downtime into your work schedule, especially if you have a chronic condition or get sick often. This is something that benefits everyone—not just the self-employed. And it helps you avoid pushing yourself too hard, which can lead to illness—and you can use some of those downtime days for sick leave when you need them.
Alone with downtime, resting when you need it is critical for avoiding a more serious illness down the line. “I’ve worked with clients who identify as workaholics and have a really hard time stepping back and taking a break,” says Dr. Suzanne Degges-White, a licensed counselor and professor at Northern Illinois University. “These are often the same people who end up coming down with colds, bugs, the flu, or worse. They may also complain about chronic headaches, back problems, or clumsiness. While they may brag about ‘working through the pain,’ what they don’t realize is that the ‘pain’ is their bodies begging them for a break!”
Make Friends
Fun and professionally efficient! Connect with other freelancers in your industry and build relationships with them. This can help you outsource work during a sick day. You may have to pay it forward when they’re sick, but that’s part of living in a society—get used to it.
And above all, remember to rest and go easy on yourself. I’m a workaholic myself, so I understand the pressure, but at the end of the day, your health comes before your productivity. Be well!
