How many of us can honestly say we’ve never called in sick under dubious circumstances? Not too many. Approximately 30% of workers have called in sick over a given year, at least once, when they’re perfectly well and taking their golf clubs to the course. How likely would your company be willing to provide that “sick” day if you didn’t make up a false excuse? Some employees and smart companies are realizing the benefits of workers being able to have the occasional mental health day.
In the hospitality industry, where we must provide customers with the utmost respect, professionalism and positive attitude at all times, this is especially relevant and could show some big dividends. We often feel the effects of a “revolving door” with frontline and management staff in this industry. Hotel, restaurant or Club Managers work longer hours than other industries that clock a 9-5 day, in a demanding, high paced, customer-driven atmosphere and then often take the paperwork home!
Many companies are aware that careful attention to the work/life balance of their employees boosts the bottom line. If an employee has time to attend to family, personal goals, exercise, their spirituality, and social network then they are going to be more alert, creative at work, more productive and more loyal.
Why not pay workers to pursue a creative hobby, or for mental health days? IBM, for instance, initiated a program in 2004 that actually paid workers to exercise. It’s a proactive approach instead of a reactive one to prevent real sick time off that can become very expensive for a company paying health benefits, covering flu shots, providing diabetes and high blood pressure tests and so on. Not to mention the various costs involved when you must hire and train new staff.
As with IBM, "more companies today are moving toward a Paid Time Off system, giving employees more flexibility in how they categorize time away from the office” says Rosemary Haefner, Vice President of Human Resources at CareerBuilder.com.
However, if you find the company you work for does not seem open to the concept of a more balanced work/life, you might try one of the following true excuses from CareerBuilder’s survey:
· Employee didn’t want to lose the parking space in front of his house.
· Employee hit a turkey while riding a bike.
· Employee said he had a heart attack early that morning, but that he was “all better now."
· Employee donated too much blood.
· Employee’s dog was stressed out after a family reunion.
· Employee was kicked by a deer.
· Employee contracted mono after kissing a mailroom intern at the company holiday party and suggested the company post some sort of notice to warn others who may have kissed him.
· Employee swallowed too much mouthwash.
· Employee’s wife burned all his clothes and he had nothing to wear to work.
· Employee’s toe was injured when a soda can fell out of the refrigerator.
· Employee was up all night because the police were investigating the death of someone discovered behind her house.
· Employee’s psychic told her to stay home.
Source: For IBM Employees, Healthy Habits Pay Off, Literally, Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News, May 17, 2004. Source: One-Third of Workers Called In Sick with Fake Excuses in the Last Year, CareerBuilder.com’s Annual Survey, October, 2008.
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