Current Events > How often is ''acceptable'' to call in sick?

(+) Yeah! (+)

Working a summer position in an IT dept rn

I called in sick at the end of May for a day and a half due to a nasty cold/bronchial thing

Likely calling in today due to the fact that I'm puking up my insides rn

They offered me a contract extension through the rest of 2023/2024 last week so they clearly like me I'm just paranoid they'll be like "whys this guy calling in sick so much"

I've never had a conventional office job, I worked retail in college and on film/tv sets most of my 20s so Iunno what the deal with this crap is

Taking two days in three months, and both times because of a legitimate problem, is 100% acceptable.

Thats not to say every power hungry manager dickhole will see it that way, of course. But If you have a good boss you should be fine.

buddhamonster posted...

Taking two days in three months, and both times because of a legitimate problem, is 100% acceptable.

Thats not to say every power hungry manager dickhole will see it that way, of course. But If you have a good boss you should be fine.

The problem is not two days in 2 months, the problem is that TC just started the job.

The amount itself is perfectly fine, but that has to be the worst timing imaginable (right after starting, and right again after signing a new contract).

But again TC, i'm repeating and bolding the most important part.

The amount itself is perfectly fine. You were just a bit unlucky, so don't worry and get healthy.

imo, as long as it doesn't actually affect your work, then any amount is fine

but i'm also not in charge of many things so my opinion isn't worth much

I was sick shortly after starting at my current job. I felt bad about because Id only just started, but apparently its pretty common as you get used to the food/water/germs of a new area.

In Australia, 10 days a year paid but they can request doctors notes

If you're sick you're sick. Not allowing the body to heal reduces work efficiency.

Don't you have a stipulated number of sick days in your contract. Also they always ask for a doctor's note

Any and every time you are sick. If a company forces you to come in ill through limited sick days etc. Then the CEO should be legally required to submit to said sick person coughing and sneezing in their face for an hour.

I have a guy here that calls in sick at least once a week, if not more. idk how the fuck this guy has any sick leave left >_> Everyone thinks he's a piece of shit

Update: I slept maybe two-ish hours, my nausea went away, and I went in.

Got through the day, was totally zonked, popped a melatonin Thursday night and slept like 10 hours.

If you're sick, I don't want you at work getting me and everyone else sick

Calling in should never be viewed negatively.

That said, more than 8 times in a month is pretty excessive. Outside of reasons like surgeries or family emergences. Someone calling in an average of 1/2 times per week isn't really in a comfortable enough spot to hold down a job for very long.

Obviously there will be some exceptions but I used to work with someone who'd only show for 3 out of 5 shifts every week and it ruined the working conditions there.

Just show up sick. Show them that you're sick and if they arent sociopaths they'll send you home.

IT jobs can be done WFHa lot of the time anyways

Cemith posted...

Calling in should never be viewed negatively.

This is my view as well - as long as the person isnt calling in during crunch projects / not doing their job and causing more work for the rest of the department.

Unfortunately the capitalist dystopia hellhole has brainwashed us into thinking otherwise because of weird obsessive shitty bosses that barely even serve a purpose themselves imposing the stigma that its wrong to just.. not be at work for legitimate reasons occasionally.

Once a year.

Id be careful though, maybe have something else ready to go in case they change their mind.

Every few months to play it safe

As many times as you want but you shouldn't be paid for most of them

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]



Devils advocate here, at a job, isnt your primary function to help keep the business running and making money? If its not, what the fuck is your purpose there?

Definitely not arguing that you should come in when youre sick, you should not. But at a job, the manager wouldnt be mistaken to believe that your primary function there is to help the company bring in more money, or at least continue to function in a way that will be profitable. Thats the point of a position at a company existing.

Do they not allow work from home? I haven't had to use any sick days for years because I do stuff over video when trying not to spread anything. Save pto for actual fun stuff.

Where I work I can't even use my PTO because we are so short staffed.

as often as you need to take care of yourself, and mental health is health too.

Depends entirely on the management. Competent management recognise the importance of not inviting often contagious sickness into the workplace. Bad management will suspect you're trying to get out of work and hold it against you.

ExtremeLuchador posted...

Where I work I can't even use my PTO because we are so short staffed.

That sounds illegal

Euripides posted...

That sounds illegal

I'm in Ohio. Nobody is legally required to give you PTO here.

If you have sick days you should use them.

ThisIsAKnoife posted...

This is my view as well - as long as the person isnt calling in during crunch projects / not doing their job and causing more work for the rest of the department.

Unfortunately the capitalist dystopia hellhole has brainwashed us into thinking otherwise because of weird obsessive shitty bosses that barely even serve a purpose themselves imposing the stigma that its wrong to just.. not be at work for legitimate reasons occasionally.

Its not creating more work for others to call in sick even during crunch. The fact that crunch exists is a failure on managements behalf.