Do you ever call in sick when your not?

sjohnny · April 2012

Do people really have a problem with this? I figured everyone did this.

I have two problems with it: the lying and the fact that a lot of people are really selfish and do not care at all that their unplanned absence is going to put pressure on other people who were unprepared for it.

I hate having to wonder if a subordinate is lying to me when they call in sick. I understand that people get overwhelmed by work, by family, by life in general, and they may need a day off even if they aren't actually sick. I'm down with that. Just don't lie about it. It doesn't exactly give the impression that you care a whole lot about your job.

I don't even have to lie. I call in and say "I'm using some sick time today". I don't have to say that I'm actually sick or whatever. Just that I'm using sick time. And that's the truth.

jackpotclown · April 2012

I used to when I had the kind of benefits that allowed it....but right now I don't, so I'm not going to call in if I'm not getting paid \m/

PepeGreggerton · April 2012

I once called in "scared" said "I'm afraid I am not going to make it in today."

My boss laughed.

fbmandy55 · April 2012

I get 10 vacation days a year as of now but being one of two employees for this company, my boss rarely approves them. The only time she has approved them is when my son had surgery or when I have doctors appointments.

She has denied me going on family vacations because she "would prefer me to take one or two days at a time rather than full weeks". I understand I am the only person to open and close the office daily but it's not my problem that we don't have a way for me to take vacation days.

This is the kind of thing that pisses me off. My first job out of college, my boss was the same way. We got a week of PTO days for each year we had been with the company (so yeah, no PTO days at all in your first year, then only 5 for your second year), plus 5 "sick days" each year, which could only be used if you or your child were sick. Unused days could not be carried over to the next year, nor did we get paid for them if we didn't use them. But still, we would be questioned extensively anytime we dared to request time off. It was infuriating.

I just don't think it's any of my employer's business where I am or what I am doing on my vacation days. Fortunately, my current boss is one of the nicest men I've ever met, and in 4 years of working for him, he's never denied my request for PTO or even asked me why I needed time off.

Exactly, it's MY time off, what I do with it doesn't need to be justified by someone else. I was denied a day because I wanted to go get my tattoo. I think she felt like that was a bad reason to give me time off..

I'd like to add that she travels for work about one week a month, takes a few days off every month and takes about 2, week-long vacations a year. That time leaves ME working alone. I don't think my 10 days are too much to ask for!

candykay0605 · April 2012

of course when my kids are sick!

weecazs · April 2012

hahahaha, yes done it a few times but felt really guilty xxxx

auroranflash · April 2012

My boss is very understanding and okay with giving us time off as long as we let her know ahead of time and there will be enough people here (as long as your work gets done and you are not behind). We have 3 sick days a year we can use toward whatever we want, sick or no, and two weeks' vacation, but we are always off for a week from Christmas to New Year's so a week always goes toward that.

Miss_dannii · April 2012

I usually go to work when i'm sick, and save my calling-in-sick days for when I just don't want to go to work lol

wickedcricket · April 2012

heck yeah. I call in cause I'm SICK of working LOL

RobynC79 · April 2012

We Aussies have a term for it! It's almost part of our work culture now. "Chucking a sickie" Vastly increased incidences of sickies occur after the final of any particular sporting event and whenever a public holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday.

Everyone knows what's going on, and it's reasonably well tolerated. I'm sure we lose massive amounts of productivity when measured in dollars, but fortunately the Australian outlook on life is not overly informed by dollars and is more about quality and enjoyment.

GlitterGoldJem · April 2012

I did at my job when I was in college but they were always class related. I was good friends with my boss so I would end up telling him why I called off and he was always cool with it. I'm not kissing my own butt but I'm an excellent employee so when you're honest with your boss they don't mind you taking a break for a day. My current job I love too much to miss. We are all super close and we all know when we are taking a day off just because we need a break or to do something fun, so never no need to take a non-sick "sick" day, we just take off and let each other know the day before.

candykay0605 · April 2012

of course when my kids are sick!

of course my very first job i was a shift manager at mcdonalds(16 years old might i add) and tried to come in for about the 17th straight day of working and had to leave bc I had the flu

cdngirl71 · April 2012

I have only once. I know a lot of people in the company I work for abuse it, they always seem to get sick either at the beginning of their days off or at the end.

nammer79 · April 2012

i have before ... you gotta do what you gotta do ... plus my judgement is never good when a female is involved :laugh:

guilt nope but I did stay late and come in on sat to make up for it sometimes

Tiggerrick · April 2012

That's the time I prefer to call in sick. They are called MENTAL HEALTH DAYS.

YouAreTheShit · April 2012

Sometimes companies policy forces you to call in sick when you're not. As an example, my (soon to be former) employer has a policy that you cannot take a personal day without three days advanced notice. You can, however, call in sick on the same day. So when things come up suddenly... you pretty much have no choice.

Punkedpoetess · April 2012

I honestly have a really hard time calling in sick, even if I am sick. I always worry they will think I'm lying and being lazy.
When I was a child I would fake being well when I was sick so I could still go to school.
...
I'm odd. I wish I was capable of it though.

Same here, I only call out sick 1-2 times a year and when I do I am really sick and am stuck in bed or at the doctor's office.

beccadaniixox · April 2012

I don't skip class when I'm sick.
If I'm suffering from illness - and the class sucks.. I may as well double suffer.

If I'm gonna take time off I may as well enjoy it!

foxy2311 · April 2012

I sometimes add an additional day when I've been out sick for a few days. I may not be sick anymore, but just can't manage to get out of my jammies. I take mental health days every now and then, but I typically schedule them a week or so in advance knowing that I'll need a day off.

vlsalvaggio · April 2012

I am debating wether or not to call in "sick" friday. i just feel burnt and tired. and all my other coworkers or out here and there and im the one that is always here and does everything. when im at this point with my job i dont feel guilty for calling out cause i feel over worked and taking advantage of. and i hate feeling like this!!

sdrawkcabynot · April 2012

Absolutely, they're called "Mental Health Days!"

Of course they shouldn't be abused by my company is ok w/ 5 personal/sick days out of the year (on top of vacation time). I've taken 1 this year due to going a bit too hard the night before w/ a mixture of a ridiculous week w/ no sleep and crazy exercise!

I also participate in "Mental Health Days"... And usually it's because of exhaustion. Heavy workout the day before --- unable to get to sleep at a decent hour --- and inability to open my eyes and crawl out of bed at 5:30am... or at least half a day of mental health awareness.

mcarden86 · April 2012

Yep.

mdsjmom98 · April 2012

I have before, although not as of late. The job I am at is fun, and I just don't have any reason to call in just because. Plus I've used up most of my sick/vacation time because I have a son that has a habit of getting hurt, and so the ER and I are on good terms!!!

But if I had the time to burn, and the day was nice, heck yeah, I'd do it in a minute.

eawilkrsn · April 2012

yes, call it a mental health day. just a day for "me" to relax and do whatever i want. especially when the weather is great!!! and NO i don't feel the least bit guilty about it. i say GO FOR IT!