AboutThomas R. Ballas Expertise I will take questions about EEOC complaints, ADA, FMLA and most Human Resource issues. I am an expert in the Railway Labor Act and collective bargaining agreements
Experience 35 Years in the Rail Industry, the last 19 in Senior Management. Lead negotiator for the Company in collective bargaining talks with 3 different unions covering 9 different agreements
Education/Credentials BA in Psychology, University of North Florida
Professional in Human Resources
Senior Professional in Human Resources
Question Hello Thomas just a quick question. I called in sick to work about 3 weeks ago for 4 days after catching some type of flu that caused me excessive runs, etc. (I won't go into detail) I called in every morning early before start time and also went to the doctor for a checkup and note. All was fine and no one mentioned any issues with it, being in a 3 month probation I also asked my supervisor about the consequences about this and he said that they do not judge a worker based on sick time as it would be unfair and being/calling sick does not affect performance reviews or anything of that sort. Unfortunately now 3 weeks later from that time I have caught a cold/head cold and called in this morning after a outbreak of fever last night and getting sweats/then chills with body shaking. I feel quite a bit better today after resting and my fever is down to 99.1 which is not bad I think? I feel awful for getting sick like this twice in a short time period and I did go into work Wed., Thurs., and tried to tough it out but became sicker yesterday with that fever. I plan on returning tommorow if the fever is gone (main reason I stayed home as I do a labour job and did not want to over exert with a fever). The only person that causes me problems at work is the leadhand for some reason I dont believe he likes me a whole lot and he does not like people taking sick days or perhaps its just me he does not like taking sick days? How can I not feel guilty about being sick twice now and what can I do to keep my work happy with me (they seem very understanding up to now and I have good relation with the supervisors so far, only the leadhand seems to give me a hard time about it.) What can I say to the leadhand to get him off my back? I am not taking sick days for fun and that is the reason I went in with the cold for the first 2 days also. I like the job, more so the people and want them to know I am a good worker which I believe is still their thought now but I have been sick lately more then before although some people at work were sick lately.
Answer Drew:
I am not sure what I can say to help you feel less guilty about calling in sick, when you are indeed sick.
My personal work ethic was never to call in sick unless I absolutely had to. And, over 35 years of working, I had to on several occasions, once as long as ten days. But, I had to be really sick, to the point where I simply could not work. I never called in sick when I was not sick, just to get a day off.
If you have a good relationship with the Supervision, I would tell them when you return that you dislike calling in, and do not do so unless you truly have to. Let them know that attendance is important to you. Later, after you are back and working for a while, find a way to mention to the leadhand how you feel about calling in, and share with him how your attendance record in important to you.
