patrick.net

Already on my long list of reasons not to have kids.

Single adults are treated far worse by corporations. It's expected that they work unpaid overtime every week. In some fields that overtime is 50% or more, unpaid.

Not that I support corporations squeezing employees who are parents, it's just that they've been doing this to singles for decades. So I guess the only unsqueezed juice left is parents.

The article discusses that day care centers won't allow sick kids - so parents have to choose between taking their kids to work and staying home. If they make an appt with their doctor, they might have to wait days to get in (which is time that they don't have). However, if they go the ER they will be seen immediately.

If it's a common cold or flu-like symptoms, they'll be sent home and heal in the same amount of time as if they had gone to the doctor. It costs more out of pocket or from their insurance benefits, but they feel better. They're still stuck at home with sick kids, tho.

Unpaid, it seems.

The subtle art of calling in sick - No need to reveal all the gory details

You've spent the night in the bathroom after eating some questionable takeout food, and you're still feeling queasy. What are you going to tell your boss?

While some people are hesitant to share the personal reasons they need a last-minute day off, others may overshare in order to prove they're not playing hooky.

But you don't need to reveal all the gory details when you call out sick.

"You don't have to prove your illness to anyone," said Vicki Salemi, career expert at Monster.com.

And let's get one thing out of the way: If you are sick, stay home. There's no reason to risk getting your coworkers sick or prolonging your own recovery. And there shouldn't be any guilt in taking time off to get well.

"It's a benefit that is due to you as part of your compensation package — don't feel apologetic about taking it," said Janel Anderson, a workplace communication expert.

Keep it brief

Less is more when it comes to sharing details about your ailment or personal business with your boss.

"Say as little as possible without being cryptic," suggested Karen Friedman, a leadership and communication expert.

She recommended writing something like: Hi manager, I am sorry I can't make it to work today, I have a fever and am in bed, or I am not feeling well and will not be at work today and I hope to be back tomorrow.

Explaining the details isn't necessary, and the more specifics you add, the more suspicion it can cause. "If you are overexplaining, you can make it sound like you are trying to convince them and make excuses."

Acknowledge bad timing

What if the timing of your sick day is pretty suspect, but you are legitimately ill? Like calling out after the Super Bowl, a holiday weekend, or the office holiday party?

Acknowledge the coincidental timing, but hold firm. Say something like: I would love to say I had too much fun last night, but I am not even an NFL fan, suggested Patricia Rossi, author of "Everyday Etiquette."

Be realistic with your abilities

Set expectations of your availability in your sick note.

If you are in the right frame of mind to answer emails or texts, you can include that you plan to check in periodically. If not, don't be shy about saying you won't be available.

"If you have a really bad sinus headache and have to do work that requires thinking and analyzing and reasoning, you probably aren't bringing your 'A game.' Let it go to a colleague or let it wait," said Anderson.

If you think this might be the start of something bigger that may keep you out of the office for a few days, tell your boss you will check in before the end of the day about tomorrow.

If you anticipate being out for a few days, try and give your boss as much notice as possible.

Inform on a need-to-know basis

Your very brief and to-the-point sick note should be sent to your boss and anyone else who might be affected by your absence.

Then send a follow-up email to your colleagues with any applicable documents or information they may need to continue to work.

When it comes to who you should inform about being out, learn your company's protocol. Human resources may want to be notified. If you are out for a few days, some employers will ask for a doctor's note.

Put your boss at ease

Bosses should be respectful of your need for time off, but an important project or client meeting can make them uneasy and push you to come in.

Offer a little reassurance, but don't feel obligated to give more details.

"Have a strong contingency plan, tell them [insert co-worker's name here] will do a great job in my place," said Anderson. "You can also add that it wouldn't be in the organization's best interest to have you come into the office today."

http://www.wfmz.com/health/the-subtle-art-of-calling-in-sick/1028920040

NOTE: About that doctors note and making rules work for you - 99% of the time the doctor will ask you when you want to go back to work or when you are supposed to go back to work. This is your chance to make those rules work for you - get the note but you pick the date to go back and it works out really great.

Say you get "sick" on a Wednesday and somehow make it to the doctor on Thursday - do not go back to work on Friday - always pick the following Monday and the doctor will comply and you get a long weekend.

See how easy it is to make rules work for you !

As one of two working parents in my household, I know that when the kids get sick it’s going to come down to whose job is easier to ditch that day. If she doesn’t have much going on at work that day she’s on sick kid duty. If instead that’s me, i am.
Unless the child is old enough to stay home alone, but the younger ones always seem to get sick instead.
It’s a hassle, but there isn’t much else to do other than work it out and have someone call in.
Being a parent is chock full of difficult choices. I know I’ve let certain promotions go by me because they’d come with changes to the family routine that would be intolerable over time. Sometimes you have to decide if more money is really worth more problems.

Quigley says

Sometimes you have to decide if more money is really worth more problems.

You are not being a good patriotic American if you do not let greed totally consume every facet of your being.

Why aren’t these little freeloaders working!

Kakistocracy says

You are not being a good patriotic American if you do not let greed totally consume every facet of your being.

@kakistocracy
I know you are being facetious here, but I think you misunderstand me and others here in a very key way. We are pro-free choice, self-direction, and liberty. I fucking CHOOSE to put my family first because i have made the decision that my family is what i value the most.
Some of my coworkers do not value this the most. Some wind up divorced or their kids hate them, but damn they made more money than me! So the fuck what? I’m better at managing what I make anyway and blow less on stupid toys.

But in a free market people are free to work towards what they value.
This gives them a sense of self-direction, and they’ll push themselves harder and accomplish more this way than any other calculated system could accomplish. Are they happier? That’s debateable. But they are more satisfied with their direction, and if they are unhappy that’s due to their own choices.

@Quigley

Yes - I was being facetious and I do understand - during my working career I turned down numerous promotion opportunities because it would have cut into my off time and weekend time to spend time with clients.

As I explained to the person I reported to, I valued my time away from work and co-workers more than I did money and a new title. Also I was unable to feign interest well enough to be sincere with the clients - my boredom would have come through like a neon sign.

Much better choice you have made to place your family first - career moves can happen later when the "shooting stars" flame out - there will always be a need for those that had different priorities earlier on.

As for my technique for calling in sick and getting a long weekend - do not do this more than twice a year. Someone will be tracking your habits so switch it up and do a few middle of week routines as well.

I can not say much publicly since it may give away information to my previous employer as to my identity.

For someone needing assistance however in the subtle art of screwing around this is a goldmine of wonderful ideas -



If you use Outlook messaging - you can really make that work for you - bigly

Also never accept a company paid or provided smart or cell phone - if you have to take one -always use your own phone and have your list of excuses ready why you are not using theirs.

Always insist on using your own phone - remind your supervisor of the cost savings and they won't consider how this little gem can also work for you.

With just a little bit of imagination you can have all of those company rules working in ways your HR department never thought of and all in your favor.

More on outlook - this is really your best friend especially if you are able to telecommute...

A few tweaks of the options and you can do the following:

Auto send messages at odd hours and days to give the impression you are really a dedicated employee who is working really hard including weekends

Autosend replies that confirm all of the bullshit above

Get "read receipts" that can show any or all of the following - these are a god send for catching your co-workers and supervisors in lies and than publicly humiliating them (save this for the conference room meeting) - make sure you keep hard copies and electronic copies - electronic copies on a thumb drive or similar.

You can see if/when something was:

Delivered to someone's inbox

Deleted without being read

When it was opened and read

These are an absolute necessity for that co-worker or supervisor who never seems to have received your message(s) on something important they now want to hang up your ass because someone is doing the same to them

In no time at all your supervisor and co-workers will always give your messages priority and promptly reply

More Liberal hate the man hogwash.

The company I work for people can bring their kids to work up to 5 days in a row. They get 3 months paid maternity leave, and they can work at home for any family emergency or you have to be home due to some delivery or work being performed. It has never been more easy to get time off nor has companies given more time off than ever before.
Our company had President's day of this last Monday.

Kakistocracy says

As for my technique for calling in sick and getting a long weekend - do not do this more than twice a year. Someone will be tracking your habits so switch it up and do a few middle of week routines as well.

Wow, it must really suck to be so chained and leashed to your employer, that you have no freedom.

What's it like to run in that hamster wheel day after day?