Are you one of those people who has never taken a sick day in their life? Did you make it through school with perfect attendance?
Do you take "mental health" days? Or, do you take every possible day off that you can without being fired?
I suspect that most of us fall somewhere in between those two extremes. I think I have taken one sick day when I wasn't sick. There could be more, but there is only one that comes to my mind.
Some companies roll over sick days, some insist that you can not have more than six or so a year. I was listening to the radio, and one teacher who is near retirement has amassed more sick days than days in a school year, so she is going to have a "sick year." It amounts to early retirement with her still being on the school district's books for one last year.
There are two schools of thought on this subject. Some people feel that we recuperate faster if we stay home when we are ill. And it's been suggested that it's wiser to stay at home when you are ill rather than contaminating all those around you. AND, there are those who believe that you need mental health days.
Others believe that it is irresponsible to take a day off when you are not ill, and that you shouldn't take a sick day unless you are seriously ill. Part of this philosophy has to do with responsibility to your company, part of it has to do with making ethical decisions.
Returning after a couple of days......
I took the day off on Wednesday of this week, thinking as the day started that I was sick. Still, I cleaned the kitchen, did several loads of laundry, made endless cups of tea, and played at my sewing table for an hour or two working on a Christmas gift. I was sure I had a cold. When things eased, I thought that perhaps it was allergies. And finally, I decided I was going to live, and got on with my life. Still, I didn't work in the office, and I didn't go out to do the marketing. I guess I played hookey.
I am in the enviable position of being able to choose when I put in the required time for my job. When I abandon my office, I make up the hours in the evening, or on the weekend. I've had eighteen years of this freedom. When Dear Husband retires, and my job ends, I worry that I won't be able to adjust to the real world of punch clocks.
I have a great sense of obligation. I'd feel guilty about calling in if I wasn't seriously ill, but I'm sure I'm spoiled by the freedom I've come to expect. That's my Libran personality at work.
So......do you play hookey, or would you never think of missing a day at work?
Comments (6)
well it depends...
I've taken days off when there was really nothing wrong with me, however, on the flip side, I've worked overnight with a 103 temp. and running to the bathroom between guests :-( (Scorpio determination LOL)
some companies don't offer sick days...and some of us cannot afford to take them, or have anyone to take our place if they did
Posted by Redeagle | December 11, 2004 9:07 AM
Posted on December 11, 2004 09:07
If I had a fever, I stayed home. I might work at home, but I tried not to share my germs/viruses with other workers. If I'd not slept enough to make me a productive worker, and there was nothing that I HAD to do that morning, I took a couple of hours of personal time (NOT sick leave) to try to catch some zzzzs--notifying my boss and the people who worked for me, of course! I spent most of my professional life working for a company that had "unlimited" sick leave. One didn't accumulate an entitled amount, but one didn't worry about taking a day or three when required. On the other hand, going to the doctor or caring for another family member who was ill was not appropriately charged to sick leave--but to personal time.
As with sick leave, personal time was "unlimited". Of course, if personal time off greatly exceeded the amount of voluntary overtime (voluntary overtime was unpaid, and, I must say, I put in plenty of weekends and middle-of-the-night impromptu stints when the mechanics working on an airplane would call with a problem), one's boss had every reason to look askance.
Posted by Cop Car | December 11, 2004 9:17 AM
Posted on December 11, 2004 09:17
T, there's no one here to take over for me. Our CPA can step in to do a payroll, but we couldn't afford to hire back up for all that I do.
I understand your situation. We have a construction company, and the rule is, if you work you get paid. When you don't work, there's no money coming in. I'm on salary because I couldn't/wouldn't remember to keep a time card, so I make it up by being available around the clock seven days a week.
Posted by Buffy | December 11, 2004 4:04 PM
Posted on December 11, 2004 16:04
It hadn't occurred to me to address the sick leave issue from the perspective of a private business owner. You have a situation that is quite different from that of most of us who work for others. The problem with being in business for one's self is the inclination to work one's self to death. As you said, if the work doesn't get done, the money doesn't come in (and the company goes belly up.)
Posted by Cop Car | December 11, 2004 6:04 PM
Posted on December 11, 2004 18:04
Oh, yes. Dear Husband is a workaholic. He understands that if he doesn't make it to work, then people could be out of a job. It's HIS name on the letterhead, and HIS name that guarantees the quality of the work that is done, so he doesn't miss work unless it's serious.
I think he's taken two sick days in 18 years.
My work is more flexible, but just as necessary. I can take a sick day, or a day to see to my mother's needs, as long as I get the work done. I used to work late into the night when the house was quiet and there were no interruptions. I think I may change to early mornings now, so that we can keep to the same schedule.
Posted by Buffy | December 12, 2004 11:45 AM
Posted on December 12, 2004 11:45
Um....T.....I think that Dear Husband qualifies for that "Scorpio Determination"!!!
Posted by Buffy | December 12, 2004 11:46 AM
Posted on December 12, 2004 11:46