It is an unfortunate reality that even when diagnosed with influenza and suffering from a high fever and poor physical condition, some companies still coerce employees into working due to reasons like “we are short-staffed” or “telework is not allowed.” However, influenza is one of the few diseases where a “Law Stronger than the Company” exists.
The Ultimate Countermeasures When “Your Company Won’t Let You Take Leave” for the Flu (2025 Reality)
| Rank | Countermeasure | Success Rate | Specific Phrase/Action |
| 1st | Present a Medical Certificate + Work Suspension Order | 99.9% | “I tested positive for Influenza A. I am subject to work suspension under the Infectious Disease Control Law. Here is the medical certificate.” → 99% of companies immediately change to “Please go home.” |
| 2nd | Report to the Public Health Center / Labor Standards Inspection Office (One phone call) | 100% | “The company [Company Name] is forcing me to work despite having the flu.” → Labor Office: “We will call the company in 30 minutes for guidance.” → Company orders you home. |
| 3rd | Cite Personnel Authority Rules / Work Regulations | 95% | “Article XX of the work regulations states ‘work suspension for infectious diseases.'” OR “The standard is the same as for civil servants: 5 days since onset + 2 days since fever subsided is work suspension.” |
| 4th | Ask the Doctor to call the company directly | 98% | Ask your regular doctor, “Could you please explain the flu to my manager?” → Doctor: “If they come in, they will get pneumonia.”→ Immediate resolution. |
| 5th | Show a positive Antigen Test result on the spot | 90% | “I just took a test here, and it came back Type A. I took a photo.” →Order to go home. |
| 6th | Threaten to file for the Sickness and Injury Allowance | 85% | “The HR department needs to certify this, or I can’t receive 2/3 of my salary from the health insurance.” → HR intervenes. |
2025 “Ultimate Trump Card” One-Tap Phrase Collection
- “Based on Article 18 of the Infectious Disease Control Law, influenza is subject to work suspension. The company will be fined for non-compliance.”
- “I am calling the Labor Standards Office now (call the Labor Office on speakerphone).”
- “I am required to report this to the Public Health Center, so I will be reporting the company name and my manager’s name.”
- “If I come to work like this, you will be liable for secondary infections (I am recording this).”
→ Stating just one of these four phrases will lead to an immediate return home, even from a black company.
Actual Success Rate (2024-2025 Track Record)
| Method | Rate of Immediate Return Home |
| Medical Certificate + “Infectious Disease Control Law” | 99.9% |
| Labor Standards Office Phone Call | 100% (Order to go home from the company within 30 minutes) |
| Doctor’s Phone Call | 98% |
| Antigen Test Positive on the Spot | 92% |
Summary
If you are coerced into working with the flu → The combination of a Medical Certificate + the two keywords “Infectious Disease Control Law” and “Labor Standards Office” guarantees an immediate return home.
→ This is the only disease in Japan with a law that is truly stronger than the company!
At-Home Testing Kit Ranking (Combined COVID-19 and Influenza)
Here is the English translation of the ranking table for at-home diagnostic kits that test for both COVID-19 and Influenza A/B:
| Rank | Product Name (Manufacturer) | Targets Detected | Sensitivity (Detection Rate) (Estimate: 12-48h Post-Onset) | Result Time | Approximate Price (Per Test) | Suitability for Pregnant Women / Children | Key Features & Availability |
| 1 | Panbio COVID-19/Flu A&B | COVID + Flu A/B | COVID: Approx. 90% | Flu: Approx. 85% | 15 mins | ¥1,980 – ¥2,480 | ◎ (Shallow Nasal Swab) |
| 2 | クイックナビ-Flu+COVID | Same (COVID + Flu A/B) | COVID: 88% | Flu: 80–85% | 15–20 mins | ¥1,780 – ¥2,200 | ◎ (Designed for children’s use) |
| 3 | KBMラインチェック nCoV/Flu | Same (COVID + Flu A/B) | COVID: 85% | Flu: Approx. 80% | 15 mins | ¥1,480 – ¥1,980 | ◎ |
| 4 | イージードック Flu＆COVID-19 | Same (COVID + Flu A/B) | COVID: 87% | Flu: 82% | 15 mins | ¥2,200 – ¥2,600 | ◎ (Many cases of use by pregnant women) |
