This news item caught my attention - non-aviation but IMHO relevant to this thread.
Professional people don't have a culture of going sick for trivial reasons or personal convenience, but the story is a sad illustration of the high price which can be paid for just 'getting on with it' and going to work instead of calling in sick.
Staten Island crash pilot jailed
"I will regret for the rest of my life that I did not just call in sick," he told the court.