my boss just made me call my coworker (who left a message that he can't make it in today) to ask him if he really an't make it in and could he try anyway. ummm...what? 1) he is sick and he has sick days. there is nothing super important going on today. 2) why the heck doesn't she call him? that put me in a really awkward position 3) AGHHHHH!!
wow, that's a lazy boss. I used to have one that would avoid certain clients phone calls and he would make me call them for specifics about their trades....I felt so stupid because I really didn't have the expertise to be discussing that with them, but hey, they were his clients, not mine, so ultimately I think the boss was the one who looks bad, not me.
Your sick co worker probably knows your boss is this way and won't think you are on a power trip.
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"Go either very cheap or very expensive. It's the middle ground that is fashion nowhere." ~ Karl Lagerfeld
Ouch. I've been put in that position before and it's extremely uncomfortable. I mean, what is this guy supposed to say to you? "Oh, you know what? You're right. I'm not as sick as I thought I was. Why don't I just come in then?"
I usually try to say something to my boss to make her feel like a jerk. Something like, "I was just on my way to a meeting, but I'll leave you his phone number so you can give him a call." Or "Jeez, I would, but that's really your call to make. Since I'm not his supervisor, I don't feel comfortable asking him to come in on a sick day."