[asadotzler]

>I do not know if he was ordered to work while sick

You don't know if they were even sick at all. In fact, when someone gets fired for cause, it's quite common for them to lie about the circumstances. That you take their comments at full value seems kinda naive.

[vintagedave]

No, but I think it's worth behaving with grace and kindness. If he claims that is the case, let's assume he is being honest. His other actions, such as proactively admitting fault, speak to honesty.

The statement also predated being fired, so far as we know the timeline.