© Features the other press Barbara K. Adamski e opfeatures@netscape.net October 1, 2003 Your Chance to Win $300! Barbara K. Adamski Features Editor The Vancouver Coastal Health Authority has been in the news lately because of its offer of a $300 incentive to one of 27,000 employees who doesn’t call in sick during a specified six- month period. What's interesting to note is, not the fact that a one in 27,000 chance to win $300 for dragging your sick, diarrheal butt into work is absolutely insulting, but the number ofself-professed doctors out there who seem to have this fascinating ability to judge the legitimacy of another person's ill- ness. Take, for example, some of the comments on the Canada.com “sound off” section, many of the writers of which referred to themselves as Joe or Jane Taxpayer. One gen- tleman, “Chris,” states that taking 10-12 sick days per year is ridiculous. But what does Chris know about the health situation of these people? Ten to twelve days a year for someone suffering from an illness such as depres- sion, lupus, or multiple sclerosis is actually rather low. For someone who is prone to bronchitis with the changing seasons, it doesn’t seem abnormal to miss a week twice a year. And for someone with severe PMS, one day off per month isn’t overdo- ing it at all. And yeah, I know some people abuse the system, but really, who am I to accuse someone of doing so? Also, the last I heard, a medical degree wasn’t a mandatory requirement for Human _ Resource staff, so who are they to question? I’m not saying HR staff shouldn't be allowed to investigate. That is part of their job. But their job does not entail overriding a doctor’s authorization for medical leave, which is something that does happen. “Raven” is of the same school of thought as Chris (coincidentally or not, both are man- agers). Lucky Raven only takes a maximum of two days off per year. I hope she lives a long and healthy life. But should she develop an ill- ness—one that requires her to take an average of 12 days off per year, an amount she asserts reflects an abuse of benefits—she might be able to experience how it feels to be accused of scamming the employer. Yes, those die-hards in management. . .such a strong work ethic. I worked at a job in which the “manager in training” always came into work when he was sick. It was an inspi- ration to see him at his desk, red-nosed and sniffling, for a week at a time. It was also interesting to see my co-workers slowly suc- cumb to the same cold. Of course, not on the fast track to management, many of them decided to just call in sick and look like irre- sponsible unionized employees who take, take, take and never give. Let's face it— people who intend to can find ways to scam the tax- payer whether they show up for work or not. On the other hand, I recall a manager at my place of employment who, on September 11 2001, just showed up late, because he wanted to stay home and watch the news. When he did arrive at the office later in the day, he brought in a portable TV set so he could stay up-to-date on further potential terrorist attacks. Well, you Joe and Jane Taxpayers, out there, you paid for this guy’s time off, as well. And even though he did eventually report to the office, maybe he should have just stayed home, sick, stressed, or whatever. After all, the world was ending. Let’s face it—people who intend to can find ways to scam the taxpayer whether they show up for work or not. A 1995 survey sponsored by the UK’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE) shows that stress-related illness is the second most common reason for work absences (musculo-skeletal disor- ders is the first). A more recent study done by an insurance firm in the UK says that stress has risen 51 percent since 1995 and is now in the lead. What’s even more inter- esting (but hardly surpris- ing) is that many suffer- ing from these stress- related illnesses believe their condition is aggra- vated or caused by work. Dr. Peter Graham, head of the HSE’s health directorate acknowledges in a 1998 BBC article that poor management is a major cause of stress. Perhaps, all this blaming of employees for milking the system is a mere smokescreen for management's own incompe- tence. So maybe there are better ways of dealing with excessive absenteeism (if ten to 12 days is indeed excessive). The old adage “find a job you love and never work a day in your life” may be the key. If people genuinely love their job, are treated with respect, and can get time off when a reasonable request is made, they are probably not going to fake an illness. If they hate going to work, work in a dysfunc- tional office environment, and are never given time off for an event important to them even when enough notice is given, yeah, maybe they will call in sick once in a while for the wrong reasons. Maybe management should evaluate their own role in this scenario. If they can't ensure a healthy and positive work envi- ronment and see to it that all employees are treating fairly, equally, and respectfully, then they’re in the wrong job. If, however, the workplace is fair and respectful, and the employees are genuinely happy, the employers should give the employ- ees a rest during their sick leave and forget the insulting $300 bribe. Contact the Student Services Centres at Douglas College. We provide: ® Career information and resources ® Counselling — career, personal,and educational © Peer support and assistance ® Services for First Nations students e Services for students with disabilities © Women’s Centre Financial Aid Fall 2003 Information Sessions To be held at the New Westminster campus 700 Royal Avenue Wed September 17 5-8pm Room 2804 Wed October 1 5:30-7:30pm Room 1606 Mon October 29 3-5pm Room 2201 Wed November 19 5-8pm Room 2804 Mon December 1 3-5pm Room 1606 Free to all information session participants: A copy of Murray Baker's book The Debt Free Graduate HOW TO SURVIVE COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY WITHOUT GOING BROKE We offer information and options to help college students balance their budgets. Budgeting is spending in a way that gets the things you really need and want without ruining your finances. You can learn about Financial Aid options ranging from loans to bursaries and scholarships, and all stops in between. http://www.otherpress.ca e¢ Page 15