Labor Day Flu?

HR36

We have noticed that some employees tend to get "sick" right before or after a long holiday weekend. For example, this Labor Day, one employee called in sick on Friday, and just called again this morning (the Tuesday after Labor day) saying that she had not yet recovered from her illness, but thought she would be better by tomorrow. She has not gone to the doctor, and we do not have a policy requiring a doctor's note for less than 3 days absence. The employee has a few sick days left and no vacation.

Our staff is largely made up of nonexempt employees who are scheduled pretty tightly around a production schedule. This employee's absence impacts production.

Anyone have suggestions for how to curb the use of sick leave to stretch a long weekend? Thanks!

fisHRman

Hey, just have in your attendance or holiday policy that employees who have a one-day absence for illness before or after a long weekend must produce a doctor's note or they will not receive the paid holiday. That should cure the flu fast.

ntk104

Is this employee a repeat offender? Does she often take extra days around a holiday?  If she's a repeat offender perhaps you could sit down and have a chat with her about what you have noticed has been happening around the holidays given by the company.  If she is not a repeat offender, I would give her the benefit of the doubt and keep an eye out as to what happens when the next holiday comes around. She could very well be ill, however, she could also have wanted a longer weekend than was scheduled. 

bubbles4u35

Our policy states that if an Employee calls out sick the day before or after a Holiday they must bring in a Doctors note in order to get paid for the Holiday.  There is an exception for extreme emergencies.  We have not had one incident of the "Labor Day Flu"

HR36

Thanks Bubbles -- I will give this a try!

vgamage

Employees cannot use sick time before or after a holiday, or they won't get paid for the holiday.  They may however take Vacation, Bereavement Leave (with evidence), or Jury duty.