They’ve been hesitant (with good reason) to say so to your face. So, let’s turn to a public opinion poll to speak on behalf of your co-workers.

Here’s the message: If you are suffering from exhaustion, a headache, sore throat, the sniffles and are prone to to hurling the contents of your stomach –all symptoms of the N1N1 flu virus –  please, please, please stay home.

The Swine Flu, the survey of 2,000 workers commissioned by Mansfield Communications revealed, has turned us into a nation of rats.

Not only did 91 percent of study participants agree that the flu-ridden need to avoid their place of business, an additional 83 percent allowed they would inform senior management if they suspect a colleague of dragging more than the usual emotional baggage into an office, shop or factory floor.

A Mansfield executive said the number of employees willing to drop a dime on a co-worker portends a larger issue.

“As the number of people infected with H1N1 continues to grow, parallel fear escalates and the potential for mob mentality begins to take shape,” Rob Ireland said in a statement released by the public relations and marketing firm. “By having clear and definitive H1N1 policies & procedures in place and by becoming a trusted source of related information, leading companies can truly take care of their greatest asset – their employees.”

Of course, no poll undertaken in 2009 would be complete without an economic component. This one is no exception. No matter how bad they feel, 84 percent of the respondents said the recession “creates more pressure to show up for work.”

Then there is this: Even if you dodge the virus at work, there’s a strong possibility it will catch up with you since nearly half of the folks surveyed (47 percent) said they won’t let an innocent irritation like H1N1 keep them away from public places like supermarkets or public transportation.

Gesundheit.