Originally Posted by
Bloodhound
I think all DU said was most companies outside aviation have similar policies, not that he supported them. These policies are put in place to reduce sick call abuse. As I mentioned, they are simply scare tactics. If you're legitimately sick, there is nothing to be scared of. It's just a game that is played by both sides and you have to learn how to play.
Great discussion so far.
I don't believe that these policies are in place to reduce sick call
abuse but instead to reduce sick time
usage. These bastions of capitalism will tout their "outstanding benefit packages" to lure in ususpecting dimwits (us) then find ways to make their use painful. Anything that makes the use of a benefit uncomfortable or the employee wary of its use, with job security as the overriding threat, reduces usage and lowers cost. It's ONLY about money and control.
If my company wants a note they get a note. It might be a complete fabrication that my doctor happily goes along with, but if it keeps the captains of capitalism from holding back my check at the end of the week then I can provide them stacks of doctors notes. The whole process is silly and wasteful, but they have the gold so they make the rules.
I have worked outside aviation the entire time I have been in aviation (for sanity mostly) and have seen variations of policies like the ones described and the ones I'm subjected to. What's surprising is the fervent glee that airline manglers seem to take in applying these draconian measures.