Do 'little white lies' hurt?

Various research articles show that the average person lies at least once a day. So when someone asks you a question that requires a painful answer, what do you do? These questions can be along the lines of: How am I doing in my job? What do you think of my performance as a manager? How did I do in my presentation?

Do you typically spare people the pain and tell them a "little white lie?" Or do you tell them the truth? And if you do, are you skilled at packaging and conveying that painful truth in a digestible way or are you blunt? — Battling conscience

If the swine flu taught us anything, it was to stay home when you're sick or the illness will spread.

Thankfully, this flu hasn't become a pandemic yet. But what if it does? Many coworkers come into work no matter how lousy they feel. I understand because no one wants to lose pay, especially in the days of lowered benefits.

With the threat of the flu still out there, should we ask the boss to talk to a coworker who obviously should have stayed home?