Wait. You guys don't get paid leave when you're sick? (Or has my lack of sleep caught up with me...)
Paid leave at the doctors request here in Australia is the norm (if you're full or part time.)
What's wrong with the normal method of temperature control?
Also, I don't see how someone can simply forget to clean their fridge. Do it every time you do your grocery shop and you won't have any worries, AND it doesn't take long because you're doing it while it's empty/still maintained from...