Yes it is...and I think that the FAA needs to forcefully address airlines that discipline pilots for following the FARs (and likely, their own company manuals in regards to 'airworthiness'). The "reliability policy" is nothing more than a way to threaten pilots to work when deficient.

The downside, however, is that there are pilots out there who abuse sick time, gaming the system and creating headaches for those who genuinely aren't able to perform their duties.

As a scheduling committee rep in a former life, my own personal inclination is for non-punitive measures for pilots who call out sick (especially probationary pilots)...but I do think more than 6 sick calls in a rolling 12 month period requires further investigation and medical consultation (non-punitive and company-paid, of course) to see if one has a chronic condition that could affect airworthiness, or simply that they have kids and the kids are bringing home colds & flu more often than a single guy would be exposed to.