SYRACUSE -- While health departments are urging workers to stay home if they're sick, some workers are looking at the order as a financial dilemma. For many, staying home means not getting paid.

The construction business has had a no work, no pay policy for years, with no sick benefits. Bill Towsley, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union Local 43 Business Manager, says the flu is changing even his workers' attitudes. Many have worked no matter what ailed them, but the worry about flu is seeing more stay home.

It's a more difficult situation for the restaurant and food business, where workers regularly interact with the general public. Several restaurant managers told Action News they monitor their workers' health closely, and send people home if they look sick, though the confrontations  'can get ugly.'

Health care workers are also watched closely, though not just by supervisors. At St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center, where a sick bank allows workers to take hours off with pay if needed, coworkers are also urged to report if employees look sick. If that's the case, the worker is sent to the health center for evaluation.

Frank Panzetta, St. Joseph's Human Resources Director, says many workers still want to work 'to be part of the team' despite their illness. Having someone tell them it's all right to go home makes them feel less guilty.

Panzetta also has to remind sick workers to stay home until they're fever free - without medication - for at least 24 hours.