The Adult's Perspective on Calling In Sick

Have you ever even considered calling in sick on a Monday morning without a valid reason just to have an extra day off from work or school?

From School to Work

Yes, I definitely did it in school. However, once I started working, it was a career, a business, and ultimately, money. There's a famous quote (not sure who first said it), I paraphrase now: 'I was once a child and thus I did childish things. But once I became a man, I put away childish things.' This quote essentially means that there comes a point in every person's life when it is time to grow up and behave like an adult.

I pushed that point in my life until after college. In retrospect, I got lucky; no real damage was done by my lax approach to my education. I should have adopted my approach earlier on while still in school. Another famous saying: 'Do as I say, not as I do.'

Flexible Policies and Real Managers

I had a brief stint at a previous job where we had an unlimited paid time off (PTO) policy. My manager didn't have his head stuck in the sand, and if I woke up on a Monday needing an extra day, I would simply send an email stating that I wanted to come in that day, with a valid reason like 'just need a mental health day.' And if asked, I would truthfully say, 'just need a mental health day.' This was a valid request for a manager connected to reality.

There was a story told to me long ago by a professor who worked in industry. He mentioned that a manager once said that if he woke up and didn't feel like coming in and had the PTO days, he could call in and say he didn't feel like coming in. The professor tried it once and the manager even told him to 'have a good day' and asked if he was coming in the next day. The professor said this story stuck with him. The point is, lying to your manager about such stuff sets a bad precedent. Don't even set up the need for lying. Since then, unless I am working for a total jerk of a manager, I'm pretty honest about why I'm not coming in. If I worked for a manager where that wasn't cool, I probably wouldn't have stayed long. However, it's not ideal for every job type; some might not have the flexibility to handle such arrangements.

Professionalism and Self-Discipline

No, I was very careful never to call out on Mondays unless I was truly sick. This is because it doesn't look good. I would be careful with Fridays as well. It might be rare, but there were times when I took a midweek 'personal day' unless my workload, responsibility to the company, and my personal work ethic didn't allow it. Professionalism can be a difficult concept, especially for those who aren't yet ready to adopt it. Being punctual and conscientious in one's work is a crucial part of adult life, and it takes discipline to maintain it.

Key Takeaways

Key Takeaways:

Calling in sick should only be done when absolutely necessary. Flexibility in PTO can be beneficial but requires a mature approach. Professionalism and self-discipline are essential in the workplace. Being honest about your reasons for taking time off is more respectful than lying to your manager. One must be prepared for the responsibilities that come with professionalism.

In conclusion, as we grow older, the idea of calling in sick becomes more complicated. While it's important to take care of oneself, it's equally important to maintain a level of professionalism and honesty when dealing with work-related matters. Being adult is about balancing one's needs with the responsibilities and expectations of the job.

Related Keywords:

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