The Contented Cow Blog

Building Workplaces That Work

Last week I did a piece written for our management audience about the growing problem of people calling in sick when they really aren’t. Today’s piece is intended for folks on the other side of the issue. Before going further, let’s clarify that this is not intended for those who are calling out for the day because they really are sick. Everyone wants them to stay home because though we enjoy sharing, there are limits.

Just who is it that gets shafted when you decide not to show up for work at the last minute… your boss? Well, not really. Though they go through a few minutes of heartburn, what generally happens is that they rearrange the schedules and priorities of others who are called upon to make up for your absence. In other words, your co-workers are the first ones who get thrown into the breech.

Look, there aren’t any spare parts or spare people any more. When you, at the last minute, announce your decision not to report to work, you inconvenience a lot more than your boss. As I just mentioned, your co-workers are the first ones to be impacted. Next are the organization’s customers - the ones who are counting on the stuff that your are supposed to be doing today… the very same ones who are responsible for paychecks.

Everyone needs a day off now and then, for myriad reasons - or no reason. What we don’t need is to have our day, not to mention our livelihood jeopardized because you didn’t have the courage or decency to make it known in advance that you needed a day off. You see, it’s generally not the taking off that causes the problem, but the fact that the decision to take off is announced at the very last minute.

Many organizations provide vacation, holiday, or personal days off (with pay) for just such circumstances. It is incumbent on each of us to use that time judiciously. Sick days are for when you’re sick. If you’ve used your allotment of personal time off, or your job doesn’t offer it, don’t make your problem other people’s problem by announcing, at the very last minute, under the guise of illness, that you’re going to go visit Aunt Tillie, or get your dog groomed and run errands today. For goodness sake, “man up” a little bit and work it out in advance. Unless your boss is a complete idiot, they will at least appreciate your you’re not getting their day off to a bad start with that 7AM “phony sniffles” phone call that we’ve all made at least once.

If it’s your job that you’re sick of, for your own sake, do the right thing by finding another job, and leaving. Don’t just “kinda leave.” Got it?

A thought leader in the areas of leadership and employee engagement, Bill Catlette is a seminar leader, keynote speaker, and executive coach. He helps individuals and organizations improve business outcomes  by having a focused, motivated, capably led workforce. For more information about Bill, his partner Richard, and their work, please visit their website.

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