If you were the manager what would you do?

[chocolaterie 0]

My husband works for DHL. Today, mysteriously 3 employees from his department called in sick. All 3 happened to be Mexican. Arizona is a right to work state. My husband's manager is no dummy, she knows they won't be able to bring in a doctor's note validating their absence. If you were in her shoes, what would you do?

I am curious to everyone's answer. Obviously, this ties in with the whole immigration issue. Would you give them special treatment?

[PsychoKat 0]

My husband works for DHL. Today, mysteriously 3 employees from his department called in sick. All 3 happened to be Mexican. Arizona is a right to work state. My husband's manager is no dummy, she knows they won't be able to bring in a doctor's note validating their absence. If you were in her shoes, what would you do?

I am curious to everyone's answer. Obviously, this ties in with the whole immigration issue. Would you give them special treatment?

2 questions

Are doctor notes required from all employees for a one day absense?

and did anyone witness them out in the rallies or involved in some action that would indicate they were not sick?

[pedroh 21]

depends on the company.. radioshack stood in the middle.. if the associates wanted to go protest they had to ask permission for the day, no retaliations..

[PsychoKat 0]

The reason I ask is this, if it's not required of all employees to supply a doctors note after calling in on a one day absence, and no one witnessed them involved in the rallies or doing any other thing that might indicate they were faking illness in support of this, I would have to say let it go.

I couldn't endorse reprimanding them based on an assumption that might or might not be valid.

I know I wouldn't feel it fair or appropriate if I was reprimanded based on only an assumption of wrong doing.

My manger and co-workers are well aware that I am struggling through the immigration process. And I myself called in sick today. They could easily assume that I did so to participate in the boycot or rallies but they would be wrong.

I stayed home because my daughter is still recovering after having a severe reaction to contrast for an MRI last week, and another reaction from the medication given to her to treat the first reaction, she was still quite ill today.

[usarandyo 0]

Terminated! Most they can do would be to file for unemployment and good luck with that. Arizona favors employers not employees. However, none of this amounts to a hill of beans unless future hiring practices are changed!!

[LenJayUS 0]

I would of covered the "unfair treatment" compliant ahead of time... I would of had everyone read and sign an office memo (that's in ENGLISH) that on May 1st 2006, that if anyone called in sick that they would be required to bring in a Dr's note. If anyone was seen out participating in the protests, and they had a Dr's excuse because they were sick, they would be fired. They didn't get a dr's excuse... fired. When I call and show up at their house and no one answers... fired.

But... I'm mean, I know.

[elizaxyz 0]

Who hasn't pulled a sick day for personal reasons occasionally, regardless of what those reasons are? I'd hardly call overlooking this in the absence of definite proof that they were breaking rules 'special treatment'. If the company didn't have a policy in place for employees covering this specific situation, then that's the company's mistake.

Edited May 2, 2006 by elizaxyz

[chocolaterie 0]

My husband works for DHL. Today, mysteriously 3 employees from his department called in sick. All 3 happened to be Mexican. Arizona is a right to work state. My husband's manager is no dummy, she knows they won't be able to bring in a doctor's note validating their absence. If you were in her shoes, what would you do?

I am curious to everyone's answer. Obviously, this ties in with the whole immigration issue. Would you give them special treatment?

2 questions

Are doctor notes required from all employees for a one day absense?

and did anyone witness them out in the rallies or involved in some action that would indicate they were not sick?

I just asked my husband, and he said it's not 100% required, but employees bring them in to show their "good standing". Also, it's a good practice because it shows you're not abusing the reason. Arizona is a very different state, indeed employers are favored over employees. The manager had called the employees to return to work, and none of them showed or returned her call. If I were her I would be very displeased, since 2/3 of the employees had very recent promotions.

Who hasn't pulled a sick day for personal reasons occasionally, regardless of what those reasons are? I'd hardly call overlooking this in the absence of definite proof that they were breaking rules 'special treatment'. If the company didn't have a policy in place for employees covering this specific situation, then that's the company's mistake.

The managers made the statement that if it were discovered such employees were abusing sick days instead of asking for it off they would be reprimanded for it. Personal reasons are not to interfere with a professional atmosphere. In AZ people are fired for less.

[bucknekkid 0]

You can be sick and often times not be able to get in to see your Dr. on that same day...Then what, your automatically terminated? It's ridiculous to expect an employee to go to the Dr. every time they take a day off. If I get the squirts, I'm not going to see a Dr., and I'm damn sure not going to work and risk crapping my pants....

[elizaxyz 0]

The managers made the statement that if it were discovered such employees were abusing sick days instead of asking for it off they would be reprimanded for it. Personal reasons are not to interfere with a professional atmosphere. In AZ people are fired for less.

Then there's your answer. If she can prove that they were abusing sick days, she should reprimand them, if she can't, she'll have to let it go. You have to expect consequences when you take political action, occasionally-- I was told in no uncertain terms what would happen to me if I called in sick during the New York Republican Convention, since everyone in the office knew I would be protesting in the evenings. (Fortunately I didn't get arrested!) : )

It really comes down to what will best serve the workplace. Putting more effort that usual into proving these guys were abusing sick days sounds more divisive than anything else.

I've never lived or worked in Arizona, and I'm not sure I'd want to, from what I'm reading here. Sounds like a place in need of a strong labor movement.

Edited May 2, 2006 by elizaxyz

[chocolaterie 0]

You can be sick and often times not be able to get in to see your Dr. on that same day...Then what, your automatically terminated? It's ridiculous to expect an employee to go to the Dr. every time they take a day off. If I get the squirts, I'm not going to see a Dr., and I'm damn sure not going to work and risk crapping my pants....

In most states this would be the case. Being from Canada, we do not have such stringent laws, but Arizona is Arizona.

The managers made the statement that if it were discovered such employees were abusing sick days instead of asking for it off they would be reprimanded for it. Personal reasons are not to interfere with a professional atmosphere. In AZ people are fired for less.

Then there's your answer. If she can prove that they were abusing sick days, she should reprimand them, if she can't, she'll have to let it go. You have to expect consequences when you take political action, occasionally-- I was told in no uncertain terms what would happen to me if I called in sick during the New York Republican Convention, since everyone in the office knew I would be protesting in the evenings. (Fortunately I didn't get arrested!) : )

It really comes down to what will best serve the workplace. Putting more effort that usual into proving these guys were abusing sick days sounds more divisive than anything else.

I've never lived or worked in Arizona, and I'm not sure I'd want to, from what I'm reading here. Sounds like a place in need of a strong labor movement.

I wasn't looking for an answer as stated in my initial post I was interested in what OTHERS would do in her place. I already know what I would do. She's in a difficult spot because she can understand why they are protesting but at the same time she is a manager. And I don't know how much effort it would take to prove they were abusing the system, like I said earlier people are fired for less. You probably wouldn't fare well in AZ many people don't.

The whole crux of my post is to find out the general opinion of others. If it isn't already obvious this ties into the greater picture of immigration.

Edited May 2, 2006 by chocolaterie

[bucknekkid 0]

You can be sick and often times not be able to get in to see your Dr. on that same day...Then what, your automatically terminated? It's ridiculous to expect an employee to go to the Dr. every time they take a day off. If I get the squirts, I'm not going to see a Dr., and I'm damn sure not going to work and risk crapping my pants....

In most states this would be the case. Being from Canada, we do not have such stringent laws, but Arizona is Arizona.

It is everything to do with your employer and nothing to do with the state of Arizona..I lived and worked in Prescott, Az for 11 years and my employer never ever gave me any problem with taking a day off when I was ill...Often times I went to work sick and they sent me back home as well...No Dr.'s note required...

[aidan80 9]

I think if anyone could fire a man or woman for exercising their right to protest peacefully or discriminate against people simply because of there race, religion or simply where they are from.. or even worse, declare that everyone should speak/read & write in English, since when was English the only official language in the US? or use other dirty tricks on employees.. Then what has the world come to? Are people beginning to devolve back into the creatures that had the sickening mentality that brought about mass discrimination based on.. anything certain people (idiots) deemed right!

You can’t and shouldn’t try to take away someone’s right to protest, march or penalize them for exercising that right, or maybe illegals don’t have any rights? Not even basic human rights? Its an insane idea to suggest that people should be fired for taking the day off march or no march.. if I had a boss that called and showed up at my house, I’d happily tell them where to put there job before smacking them in the face. I really detest the type of people that assume because you’re their employee then you’re their or the company’s property.

[elizaxyz 0]

I wasn't looking for an answer as stated in my initial post I was interested in what OTHERS would do in her place. I already know what I would do. She's in a difficult spot because she can understand why they are protesting but at the same time she is a manager. And I don't know how much effort it would take to prove they were abusing the system, like I said earlier people are fired for less. You probably wouldn't fare will in AZ many people don't.

Fair enough; there's my answer, I should have said. It is a tough spot, definitely. It hardly seems like it should be a firing offense, though. I'm sure I wouldn't do well in Arizona; I love to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there.

[chocolaterie 0]

Well my husband has been working in the IT industry since he was 14. That makes it 11 years for him as well. Perhaps Prescott being such a small town would make it more liberal in the way they govern their employees, or maybe it had to do with your field of employment. I did not grow up in AZ but he has and so has all his friends/family who can attest to my previous statement. I, personally do not have first hand experience with such managers. I know when I worked up at Esker Lakes (being that your fiance(e) is from Canada, s/he may know where this is, it is probably a town about the same size. I found they were much more employee friendly than all the businesses I worked for in Toronto.

You can be sick and often times not be able to get in to see your Dr. on that same day...Then what, your automatically terminated? It's ridiculous to expect an employee to go to the Dr. every time they take a day off. If I get the squirts, I'm not going to see a Dr., and I'm damn sure not going to work and risk crapping my pants....

In most states this would be the case. Being from Canada, we do not have such stringent laws, but Arizona is Arizona.

It is everything to do with your employer and nothing to do with the state of Arizona..I lived and worked in Prescott, Az for 11 years and my employer never ever gave me any problem with taking a day off when I was ill...Often times I went to work sick and they sent me back home as well...No Dr.'s note required...