I commend their sense of timing, OP.

I used to eat fish every Thursday and sometimes called out sick Fridays until I realized it was the fish making me ill because I have an intolerance.

Anonymous wrote:
I know I can’t say anything, but it’s fishy that someone gets sick on a Friday before a long weekend…

Well, no. I don’t think like that. I worry about me. What’s the point in worrying about what others do, much less waste brain cells second-guessing their explanations or reasons? That would be an extremely toxic way to think and would make me wonder about my mental health and whether it was time to see a therapist to deal with the character defect that would cause someone to think in that manner.

So, no.

It should happen about 20% of the time if you have a big enough sample.

Fridays or Mondays should be 40% of the time.

You’re welcome!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had no idea illness doesn't strike on Fridays! Great news.

+1
This is the last thing an ill person should have to worry about. What their sh1tty coworkers think

PM….

Anonymous wrote:Why do you even care? They are permitted a certain number of days off and should be able to use them as they see fit, whether they are physically ill or simply want a break.

100% this. I’m the person who said “it’s their leave to take,” and whether that is recovering from a cold, going to see a specialist for knee pain, or taking a mental health day *to avoid burn-out,* I don’t care, at all. I supervise a team of seven, and I’d rather have them take leave rather than getting to a point of burn-out that can be very hard to recover from. I’m all for preventative leave to get to a better state of health, happiness and productivity.

Why do you even care? They are permitted a certain number of days off and should be able to use them as they see fit, whether they are physically ill or simply want a break.

I work for a private company with 4 weeks PTO. Previously l worked for an agency where l got 5 weeks of vacation, and something like 2 weeks of sick days. I never came close to using all those sick days, but also 7 weeks is insanely generous. People who insist on taking them all in December before they run out really drag the organization down. Sometimes l would take off a Friday or Monday as mental health days. It’s good to get a 3 or 4 day rest to avoid burnout if you have a demanding job.

Now since it’s all PTO, I don’t take mental health days. My family lives in another country and l really try to make the most of my PTO to travel.

So anyhow, l think using your sick days as mental health days to extend a long weekend is smart as long as you’re not screwing your coworkers. Plan it ahead and call it a medical appointment or something in your calendar if you must. Don’t just “call in sick”.

One of the primary tenets of children is that they always get sick on Friday, usually after the pediatrician’s sick slots are filled. (Stop side-eyeing your coworker, OP.)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, unless there is a pattern to the behavior.

4x a year?

That's not worthy of raising it as an issue.

Disagree if the only day they ever call in on is a Friday. However, if sick days are use it or lose it and these people are never sick, then I don’t see a problem with it.

Anonymous wrote:Yes, if it’s a pattern. We used to have huge coverage issues around holidays due to people calling in sick. Our field has strict ratios that we have to follow so mass callouts are a big problem and would lead to last minute closures for people depending on us for services. Then my company put a policy in place where if you call out for your scheduled shift before/after a holiday, you don’t get paid for the holiday, and have to use leave instead. Magically solved the problem immediately. (If you are out on pre-approved leave it’s fine, the policy only covers call outs.)

This. I'm a nurse and calling sick for someone means that other nurses have to do more work on that day whether they like or not. We don't have extra coverage for that. It socks.

So I'll be judged if I'm sick on a Friday. Or a Monday.
At my job we can't take a personal day to extend a holiday weekend.

My job is important to me, and I'm reliable and smart and hardworking. But why do they micromanage every minute of my life?? Why do you care what day someone takes off if they stick with what's allowed to them and get the job done?

It’s their leave to take.

When I get sick, it’s usually on Mondays. This because it’s easier to get thrown off my diet on the weekend, and then deal with resultant raging IBS the following day. Thank God for WFH.

Yes, if it’s a pattern. We used to have huge coverage issues around holidays due to people calling in sick. Our field has strict ratios that we have to follow so mass callouts are a big problem and would lead to last minute closures for people depending on us for services. Then my company put a policy in place where if you call out for your scheduled shift before/after a holiday, you don’t get paid for the holiday, and have to use leave instead. Magically solved the problem immediately. (If you are out on pre-approved leave it’s fine, the policy only covers call outs.)