Why Can't I Call In Sick?

For the 19 years I was at a newspaper I requested off every Rosh Hashana (both days - so working at a daily AM paper that meant 3 nights off), Yom Kippur (2 nights off), and for the first two seders and my requests were always granted. Of course I worked every Easter, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day during those years as well.

 

I have not. But, in my second-hand experience, this is the kind of thing people won't fuck with you over. There's an easy lawsuit when it comes to religious discrimination in the workplace.

 

What if you want Easter off? I think most would look at you and laugh in your face and say, 'Work.'

 

depends on staffing - typically, as the boss, I'll let folks get the day if I can swing it. (if there's things to cover, they hit that and that's it, but holidays it's normally clear for coverage.) but that's with the understanding that when they get their holiday on the day, they'll be working for me when I take a belated day.

 

My work history at my current gig has been weird as far as calling in.

The day I found out that I had skin cancer, I went in. When by best friend of 15 years was in intensive care in the hospital and it was touch and go if she'd live or die, I went in.

I almost called out when I had an awful respiratory infection that just would not go away, it was weeks and I was just not getting over it. Fevers, coughing, fatigue, the works. During all this, Dr. J's grandfather died and I used almost the max bereavement time.

When my aunt died, I took two days off and got crap for it from a manager who claimed that since she lived 300 miles away "it was obvious that you're not very close." The other manager just about set her on fire for that.

I've called out for migraines, UTIs, when I threw my back out (part of my job is unloading trucks) and I missed a week of work a year ago when I had a massive gastrointestinal reaction to antibiotics. And then another reaction to the antibiotics that were supposed to counteract the other antibiotics (my boss actually sent me home the first day I tried to come back). Come to think of it, I had a pretty bad year last year!

If a coworker is really sick, like I was, I have no problem picking up the slack. Especially if they have a stomach flu. If anything is coming out of your body that isn't supposed to...STAY AWAY FROM WORK. As far as colds go, every once in a while we all get that one cold that knocks us out for a good week. It's okay to call out that first day. It will help you in the long run.

That being said...Pete did the right thing as much as it pains me to say it. It depends on the office, but it sounds like where Pete works things are pretty tenuous. Sometimes work helps to get your mind off stuff too. I know that's helped me in the past with headaches.

 

I used to work through sickness all the time. Got that from my dad, who never once called in sick. He tore cartilage in his knee one time, had surgery, and went back to work the next day.

Lately, I've decided my health is worth more than a newspaper. I still don't use sick days often, but I don't feel bad about doing it.

On a co-worker note, our copy desk chief came down with something awhile back that would have House perplexed. It wasn't for a few months that doctors figured out she had mono.

She's not contagious anymore, but she can't get better because she keeps coming into work. I told my SE that if I ever get mono, my ass will be away from the office until I'm past it.

My point is, your health should take priority over a damn high school game that no one will remember a week later.

 

I once worked with a youngster who always seemed to get sick during the busiest times of the year.

Thanksgiving. State football and bowl season in December. Christmas. March Madness. State baseball and softball in May. When All-Area sections needed to be done.

It was the same drill every time. Complain about feeling bad when someone called to find out why he was two hours late. He'd ask someone to cover for him, but he'd never show. Instead he'd call a few hours later and say he couldn't make it. Then he'd brag to certain co-workers about getting away with it.

And he wondered why no one respected him.

As for me, I've taken maybe three sick days in my life. I was unable to get out of bed each time. I just made sure to let my bosses know early enough so other arrangements could be made instead of stringing him along.

I'm all for taking care of myself first but not being so selfish that I totally dismiss the burden it places on other people on short notice. Pick up the phone and let people know you're too sick to work, and most problems are avoided.

 

I average taking about 1-2 sick days per year. I've sucked it up at times throwing up in the office bathroom and stayed because there was no one else to finish my job. Usually when I've called in, I just know that I won't be able to do any work because I'm feeling so lousy.

Plus, I've also taken off when my kids are sick, too. If they aren't feeling well, they need me more than my job does. As the saying goes, no one ever said on their deathbed that they wished they spent more time at the office.

If the paper can't handle employees having to miss time due to illness, they shouldn't be in business. (Oh, wait ....)

 

In four years, I've called in sick twice. Each time I've felt guilty as hell and never really got the rest I needed. Instead, I was concerned about what was going on at work and hating myself for not being able to be there.

 

So Bob, is Tiny Tim still doing better? Haven't heard anything new about him since Christmas.

 

And it won't help you a bit if you are deemed the next to be laid off.
And good luck getting a raise the rest of your career.