Unit 6: Health
Lesson 8: Using Sick Time Benefits Wisely
OBJECTIVE
Identify decisions that need to be made when you are sick and need to go to work.
SUPPLEMENTAL RESOURCES
If you have purchased videos recommended for lessons in the
Employability unit, there may be some dramatizations related to calling
in sick. If your program has these videos, it is suggested that you show
that portion of the tape.
INSTRUCTIONAL FORMAT
This lesson will provide students with the opportunity to practice going
through the process of deciding whether to call in sick for work. Start the
lesson by simply providing the students with the following scenario: "It
is 6 a.m., and you have just waked up and do not feel well. You have to be
to work by 7:30 a.m.. What decisions do you need to make?" Allow the students
to discuss and think through the process as independently as possible. Guidelines
are listed below to provide assistance.
How sick are you? If you can answer yes to any of the following questions, it might be a good idea to call in sick.
Do you need to see a doctor in order to get better?
Do you have an illness (flu, pink eye, etc.) that is contagious?
If you go to work, is there a chance that you may get even sicker to the point that you may have to miss more than one day of work?
If you went to work, would you be unproductive due to the illness?
If you decide that it would probably be a good idea to call in sick, consider
the following:
How much sick time do you have? If you have more than a few days, it might
be a good idea to stay home this day to try to get better. If you only have
a few days, you may have to decide whether you may need those days at a later
date. A person would have to make this decision based on her health history.
For example, a person may have terrible allergies at the same time every
year. That time is coming up and the allergies are worse than how she feels
right now.
If you do not have sick benefits, can you afford to miss a day's pay?
After making the decision to stay home from work, then you have to do the following:
Figure out whether you have any work that someone will have to do for you.
Follow your employer's procedure for calling in sick.
When you speak to your supervisor or the person to whom you call in sick,
tell him that you are not feeling well and need to take the day off. Inform
the person about responsibilities that will need to get accomplished by another
co-worker.
For students that may need the practice, do some role-playing of calling
in sick. Trainers should model what to say on the phone. When the student
is practicing, the trainer can play the role of the supervisor.
Remind students about the following things in relation to sick time.
Although sick time is a benefit, it should be used only when necessary. Employers
look favorably on employees who do not miss any work due to illness. In fact,
some employers give out awards and other incentives to employees who do not
use any sick time during a specified period such as a year.
Employees should stay knowledgeable about how much sick time they have. If
their supervisor does not keep them informed, employees should check every
month to find out how much sick time they have.
Employees should know the procedure for calling in sick. Details such as
how much notice do you need to give and with whom do you speak are important
factors. You may suggest that students put this procedure down in writing
and have it close to the phone.
Many employers prefer that the employee call in sick. If possible, do not ask a family member or friend call your boss to let her know you are sick.
SIGNS OF GENERALIZATION
Students are using sick time only when necessary. When they take sick time,
they follow the procedure outlined by their employer.
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