Do companies freak out when ppl miss time off work?

[Syne]

I was reading the thread in OT about the [edit] gal undergoing major (potentially lifesaving) thyroid surgery, and the company she works for was actually giving her a hard time about missing work. When I read that, I couldn't believe it. I even brought my girlfriend in to see and she said it was the most ridiculous thing she's ever read.

Do companies actually put themselves in situations where they'll be screwed if a person has to take time off? If they do, isn't that their poor planning? There should be enough overlap between jobs that others can cover without screwing any one person over too badly. Why burden the person who is taking time off for legitimate reasons and already stressed to the max? As a company owner or boss, don't you feel like a miserable human being when you do this?

Is this atypical or typical behaviour for a company? Most places I've worked at would just have others cover the workload, because they know how highly inappropriate it is to give someone grief about such an issue.

I hope when he recovers from surgery, that he's able to find a new job.. because nobody should have to deal with that. >:(

[Mark77]

A lot of older managers, and people in more 'rigid' organizations, still believe that time on the job is correlated with the actual output of an individual. In some cases, that is true. In other cases, such beliefs lead to some terribly destructive behaviours.

With all the distractions that are available these days, whether it be smartphones, Facebook, etc., trying to measure the output of individuals "on the job" by hours simply doesn't work very well. And for creative or information professionals (ie: engineers, etc.), hours on the job has very little correlation to actual output. A company that omes down hard on an engineer because, heaven forbid, they take off an hour or two early on a nice afternoon to go golfing -- probably is doing themselves a giant disservice as that engineer probably will be quite displeased with how the employer views him.

On the flipside, a lot of firms have moved even engineering professionals to 'hourly' pay because it allows them to account for, and pay overtime -- and to distribute the extra pay in some form of equitable fashion amongst the people in the workplace.

[setell]

It's not Syne. It's more just jack's employer that is an ***** vs all employers. Oh jacks is female, LOL. I can't expose more than that.

From my experience most companies are very flexible with health issues or deaths. I had to take a personal day off to attend a funeral during quarter end and my boss was fine with it no questions asked. If I got sick and needed surgery I am sure no matter what crap hits the fan at work I can get the time off.

[nalababe]

For most this is a non issue. That goes for any legitimate reason off. These are often clearly spelled out.

Now, one hasto reasonable. Is the death a immediate family member or a long lost relative? They are treated differently.

Would surgery belief threatening or voluntary?

[Jimboski]

Jacks Is a "she"!

[setell]

For most this is a non issue. That goes for any legitimate reason off. These are often clearly spelled out.

Now, one hasto reasonable. Is the death a immediate family member or a long lost relative? They are treated differently.

Would surgery belief threatening or voluntary?

+1

For me it was a close family relative.

[DJ_Peanuts22]

It really depends on who's running the show.

Are they old-school hardcore business type? Or new-school relaxed?

[Syne]

^ Does it really matter when we're talking about issues of basic respect?

Thanks for telling me jacks is female. I edited my post.

[tsat]

^ Does it really matter when we're talking about issues of basic respect?

Thanks for telling me jacks is female. I edited my post.

Yes... Old schoolers will expect you to attend a funeral on your lunch break.

[jedi1648]

You tend to find that harsh mentality with old schoolers, or in small companies with few employees to take over, or in bigger companies in project roles with tight deadlines.

[Piro21]

I was reading the thread in OT about the [edit] gal undergoing major (potentially lifesaving) thyroid surgery, and the company she works for was actually giving her a hard time about missing work. When I read that, I couldn't believe it. I even brought my girlfriend in to see and she said it was the most ridiculous thing she's ever read.

Do companies actually put themselves in situations where they'll be screwed if a person has to take time off? If they do, isn't that their poor planning? There should be enough overlap between jobs that others can cover without screwing any one person over too badly. Why burden the person who is taking time off for legitimate reasons and already stressed to the max? As a company owner or boss, don't you feel like a miserable human being when you do this?

Is this atypical or typical behaviour for a company? Most places I've worked at would just have others cover the workload, because they know how highly inappropriate it is to give someone grief about such an issue.

I hope when he recovers from surgery, that he's able to find a new job.. because nobody should have to deal with that. >:(

If an employee is valued for their individual skills and isn't just another replaceable cog in the machine, yes, they will be screwed if that employee takes an extended time off. This is why organizations insure their executives, pay them so much, and will come down on them with lawyers if they break contracts.

If the employee isn't that valued, it may not be the company's fault, either. A lot of middle management with no real skills have relied on office politics and abuse of what little power they have to get them into their positions. They will sabotage their departmental policies, purposely withhold information from employees they should be training, and do everything in their power to ensure that nobody can get anything done without them around. The presence of people like this is usually indicative of a badly-run organization, but if the person mentioned in the OP is one of these people it's understandable why the company would be pushing her to get back to work.

[NorthYorker]

Is this atypical or typical behaviour for a company?I would say this is atypical outside of big urban centers, bordering on typical for GTA. Approximately half of non-public employers I worked for in GTA viewed ANY unplanned leave as a hit against a employee's reputation, regardless of the leave's reason.

[Biff88]

.........Do companies actually put themselves in situations where they'll be screwed if a person has to take time off? If they do, isn't that their poor planning? There should be enough overlap between jobs that others can cover without screwing any one person over too badly. Why burden the person who is taking time off for legitimate reasons and already stressed to the max? As a company owner or boss, don't you feel like a miserable human being when you do this?

Is this atypical or typical behaviour for a company? ........(

In my many moons of work experience have found that medium and large size companies have no issue at all with this. This sounds like a small mickey mouse company to me. If someone can name the heartless company to embarass them...all the better.

[sleepyguy]

Freak out? depends... I work for a very large financial institution and they have many HR rules regarding time off... I happen to have a very laid back manager as well so I generally can take time off and make it up whenever. Things like long-term disability or short-term disability are all covered. I know of a few folks who took stress leave.

All depends on the business. Generally coverage has beefed up over the years I've noticed... ever since 911 we've been cross training like crazy. For example I'm now able to cover Miami and Ohio, and they can cover me in times of emergency. Lan admin btw.