Hey Fellas: Here in PA we have the BLOOMSBERG FAIR , the largest fair in the state going on. This is the second most popular week for call offs at work, yesterday I had to cover 5 people who called off from the unit I supervise. Today 4, so far. Well I am watching the evening news, and there in plain n view , on the ABC affiliate are 2 of the people who called off sick! :-/

Maybe they were sick. . . sick and tired of being at work.  Agreed it's not fair for you to cover for their "sickness".  Why can't they just be honest enough and take a vacation day for their recreation?  At least have sense enough to duck when the TV camera's are around.

:

The Company I work for is very generous with vacation abd sick time. You start with 2 weeks vacation, 10 Holidays and 2 weeks sick time a year. You stay that way for sick and holiday time , but if you stay with the company continuosly you can max out at FIVE WEEKS

VACATION/per year after your 11 year. Thats a lot and you can carry it over!Our Job . housing 600 poverty level/at risk kids is very demading, so there is liberal time off to prevent burn out

For vacation time the union contract asks for a 7 day notice for vacation time, as we have over 50 people in my unit, it makes it managable. Sick time can be used up to 2 hours before the shift. They play the weather game, so if it is not raining they call off. I feel this is abusing the generous benefits we have and it makes it necessary at times for me to work from home

I have never denied a vacation request, even if asked for in less than 7 days, Then if one of their fellow workers gets mandated to stay they file a grievance :

I'm with you bud, but some people just can't help but take advantage of the system.  There are rotten apples in every bunch.

They aren't abusing the benefits, they are using them.  

It would be different if it was a tough time (short staffed,etc) and that was well known but shoot, we don't even have to give a reason why we won't be in, we just have to say this is so and so and I won't be in today.

Yes they are abusing it;

Not abusing; Hey Dominick it looks like good weather TOMMOROW , can you get me a vacation day?

My answer has always been YES

Abusing benifits and co workers; Hey it's 2 pm, I am working the 4 to 12 I am sick and not coming in ( It's not raining and I am going to the fair)

Now because we have to have one staff on center per so many kids 40% of the time someone will be mandated to cover at least part of a call off, when more than 3 a shift call off. Yesterday there were 5 calls offs in less than one hour; Only one madated. Today there were 4 as I left and there were 2 mandates brewing.

 So a worker, lets say a single mom, is now stuck at work and she has child care issues. Or someone cmae in n under the weather now thwey get stuck to work a double

Mind you I know it's fair week, and have on calls lined up to fill in, but since they have other jobs they need a days notice.

So It is abusing the system, when I will do my best and have never failed getting someone off and covered with at least 24 hours notice.And they know this.

Muddy, sorry you did not post a pic of your face when you saw them on TV.

What did they say when you asked them about it?  ;D

Sam I am not going to ask them about it. I am not good at conflict, as been demonstrated here, and my Manager has that privilge if he so desires.

My Reaction was more audible than visual, I can't post that here either

MOOKS!!!!!!!

This sounds similar to the Monday after the super bowl at UPS.  It IS abusive when the work rolls onto the other employees.

Hey Muddy, would it have been better if they had gone fishing?  

They aren't abusing the benefits, they are using them.

It would be different if it was a tough time (short staffed,etc) and that was well known but shoot, we don't even have to give a reason why we won't be in, we just have to say this is so and so and I won't be in today.

That's probably because you have a set of personal days to use how you see fit.  Most companies don't have this.  They have sick days and vacation days.  Sick days are for when you or an immediate family member that requires your care are SICK.  Vacation days are for pre-approved abscences.  There is no "hey I don't feel like coming into work today" days.  When you do that you screw over everyone else for no other reason than for your own enjoyment.  It's a jerk thing to do.

I thought this thread was going to be about the Mets...

They are abusing the days as they are sick days and nowhere does it mention personal days. The union ought to re-negotiate and maybe trade 2 sick days for personal days. It makes sense as it helps for doctors appointments and house buying etc.

Hey Muddy,

As a suggestion maybe next year a 1 or 2 week advance heads up to them in e-mail or verbal if not a ton of people.

Something like " hey the fair is coming up and someone always calls in sick its a fact of life. Can we maybe under the table kind of coordinate things to help everyone out."

I'm not sure if this wold go over well with the co but just a suggestion. Maybe start now for next year then again close to fair time.

FFI AKA - Matt Crum

They aren't abusing the benefits, they are using them.

It would be different if it was a tough time (short staffed,etc) and that was well known but shoot, we don't even have to give a reason why we won't be in, we just have to say this is so and so and I won't be in today.

Well, in my book it's called lying.  If it's called sick leave, you are supposed to be sick.  Be the man and be upfront about it.  If you're going fishing, say, "I'm going fishing!"  If you're going to the fair, say "I'm going to the fair."  It's just common courtesy and respect to your fellow employees.

In the school system here, we have "discretionary" and "non-discretionary" personal leave.  Either way, you shouldn't lie to your employer.  Things like that will come back and bite you, as it may well do with these people.

Muddy,

You're not likely to leave a video tape of the evening news on the boss's desk are you?  8-)

Muddy, be very proud of the fact that you know that you are very good at doing what you do.  There are very few people who can cope with the stress that you are constantly under.  If I were in your shoes, I would get arrested for assault.

You mistook them: That was one of your PA Senators and two Representatives!

da 'portant guys were testifying today.  The other 44 United States Senators and the entire House of Representatives had the day off.

Got to get ready for adjournment!