FDX - Dr. note for sick?
12-18-2013 | 07:52 PM
#121
Banned
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 404
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"In my mind, having to get a doctors note when I called in sick in an insult to our personal integrity unless management has reason (and evidence) to document that you might not be sick"
I agree with this. It is quite embarrassing to ask your doctor for what they call a "work excuse" letter. It makes you feel like a child, asking Mommy or Daddy for a letter to bring to grade school.
I recently was "requested" to provide a letter for a sick call over peak, for a short trip that wasn't in conjunction with vacation, holidays, or over reserve. Apparently they have determined a certain percentage of us have made sick calls in the past that the computer program doesn't like, and every time we call in sick from now on, the computer will generate a demand for a doctor's letter. When I talked to the union, they said one of their grievances was for a pilot that had called in sick only four times in 25 years, and hadn't called in sick over reserve, holiday or near vacation. Who knows what the computer parameters are, calling in sick on a Tuesday? So those of you who feel comfortable because you think you don't hit their parameters....you have no idea of what the parameters are, and the next time you call in sick, you may have to provide a letter for all eternity.
Another pilot I know received an Advisory Letter purely because he never saw the email request for a doctor's letter. They considered just sending people an unacknowledged email as "notification", and since he never saw it and didn't provide the letter in time, he received a threatening letter on his doorstep. I think they changed it to a crew notification lately, but really, sending threatening letters because you missed an email? Probably buried under the stack of daily iPad emails.
Another point, when I asked my doctor to provide more details on the letter...ie that I had a sinus infection and was prescribed antibiotics (as it only said I was under his care and when I could go back to work), he said, "Absolutely not. It's none of their business, and it is illegal under privacy laws for me to give more details."
Needless to say, I'm pretty disgusted. I never cause any trouble and go above and beyond to get the freight there. If management is bringing on the ire of people like me, who are usually very happy and rarely complain.....they've lost us all.
I agree with this. It is quite embarrassing to ask your doctor for what they call a "work excuse" letter. It makes you feel like a child, asking Mommy or Daddy for a letter to bring to grade school.
I recently was "requested" to provide a letter for a sick call over peak, for a short trip that wasn't in conjunction with vacation, holidays, or over reserve. Apparently they have determined a certain percentage of us have made sick calls in the past that the computer program doesn't like, and every time we call in sick from now on, the computer will generate a demand for a doctor's letter. When I talked to the union, they said one of their grievances was for a pilot that had called in sick only four times in 25 years, and hadn't called in sick over reserve, holiday or near vacation. Who knows what the computer parameters are, calling in sick on a Tuesday? So those of you who feel comfortable because you think you don't hit their parameters....you have no idea of what the parameters are, and the next time you call in sick, you may have to provide a letter for all eternity.
Another pilot I know received an Advisory Letter purely because he never saw the email request for a doctor's letter. They considered just sending people an unacknowledged email as "notification", and since he never saw it and didn't provide the letter in time, he received a threatening letter on his doorstep. I think they changed it to a crew notification lately, but really, sending threatening letters because you missed an email? Probably buried under the stack of daily iPad emails.
Another point, when I asked my doctor to provide more details on the letter...ie that I had a sinus infection and was prescribed antibiotics (as it only said I was under his care and when I could go back to work), he said, "Absolutely not. It's none of their business, and it is illegal under privacy laws for me to give more details."
Needless to say, I'm pretty disgusted. I never cause any trouble and go above and beyond to get the freight there. If management is bringing on the ire of people like me, who are usually very happy and rarely complain.....they've lost us all.
What's your opinion of the flaps 15/0 takeoff policy?
12-18-2013 | 08:10 PM
#122
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,756
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"What's your opinion of the flaps 15/0 takeoff policy?"
Why do I feel like this is a trick question?
I don't have a strong opinion about it. The company wants us to do it, so I do it...unless there is a specific reason not to (like a short runway). I do think it was incredibly stupid to have us start doing it without training, or at least talking about being extremely careful about not rotating too aggressively. Could have avoided a tailscrape.
Why do I feel like this is a trick question?
I don't have a strong opinion about it. The company wants us to do it, so I do it...unless there is a specific reason not to (like a short runway). I do think it was incredibly stupid to have us start doing it without training, or at least talking about being extremely careful about not rotating too aggressively. Could have avoided a tailscrape.
12-19-2013 | 09:43 AM
#124
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
There are people that abuse sick leave. Is this really a surprise at any company? The current problem seems to be (if one believes management) a spike in sick leave use among the pilots over the last few years. Sadly, like some ex-wives, management doesn't believe they could be part of the problem.
12-19-2013 | 10:10 AM
#125
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 340
Likes: 0
From: 777 F/O
I want to know where the requirement to even see a doctor when "sick" is located. I sprained my ankle, bad. Injured. Can't I go to the internet and learn the R.I.C.E principle, follow it until I can walk up the crew stairs again. This could apply to dozens if not hundreds of legitimate reasons to call in sick. Management overreach pure and simple.
12-19-2013 | 10:21 AM
#126
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
From: Right for a long time
If I am sick today I will call in sick. Tomorrow if I feel better I will call in well but most likely I will be too late to retain my flight that night. Now that I am well. I need to make an appt to get a well note and if I'm lucky can see the doctor as soon as tomorrow. This can easily mean I now miss 3 days on sick when all I needed was a good day in bed. This is insane.
12-19-2013 | 11:17 AM
#127
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,756
Likes: 0
I looked up some stuff on employment laws, and here is what I found:
"Employers in the United States have the right to ask for a doctor's note when employees take time off for illness. However, this policy must be applied equally to all employees. For example, an employer may require employees to provide a doctor's note whenever they are out for more than three consecutive days due to illness. However, an employer may not require one employee to provide a note each time he takes one sick day and let other employees take sick time without asking for a note at all."
It appears (that is, if one believes what they read on the internet!) that it is not legal to apply policy unequally. The lawyer for the union thinks they are violating all sorts of different laws that vary by state. I suspect that this targeting policy is illegal, and will go away soon enough. The union is advising people to just get the letter as requested, until this is worked out. As silly as it may be, you just need to do it or they'll send you a nasty Advisory Letter.
No, I don't think there is any way to get the co-pay reimbursed, unfortunately.
"Employers in the United States have the right to ask for a doctor's note when employees take time off for illness. However, this policy must be applied equally to all employees. For example, an employer may require employees to provide a doctor's note whenever they are out for more than three consecutive days due to illness. However, an employer may not require one employee to provide a note each time he takes one sick day and let other employees take sick time without asking for a note at all."
It appears (that is, if one believes what they read on the internet!) that it is not legal to apply policy unequally. The lawyer for the union thinks they are violating all sorts of different laws that vary by state. I suspect that this targeting policy is illegal, and will go away soon enough. The union is advising people to just get the letter as requested, until this is worked out. As silly as it may be, you just need to do it or they'll send you a nasty Advisory Letter.
No, I don't think there is any way to get the co-pay reimbursed, unfortunately.
12-19-2013 | 11:27 AM
#128
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,047
Likes: 0
From: 767 FO
If I am sick today I will call in sick. Tomorrow if I feel better I will call in well but most likely I will be too late to retain my flight that night. Now that I am well. I need to make an appt to get a well note and if I'm lucky can see the doctor as soon as tomorrow. This can easily mean I now miss 3 days on sick when all I needed was a good day in bed. This is insane.
12-19-2013 | 12:21 PM
#129
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 221
Likes: 0
In his recent explanation of "SCK" BM cites the spike in recent sick usage. I would like to see a line graph with the sick usage overlaid with the tightening of the optimizer parameters. I believe they would mirror each other. Personally, I have been legitimately more unhealthy and run down the last couple of years because of all the un-turnable, day/night flip flops and shotgun schedules. I am coming off of three straight weeks of flying with disruptions, de-icings, 1+hr late pushes, and revisions. I feel rotten. We all know the physiology behind circadian rhythm disruptions. Could the optimizer be the source of your sick spike? Simple Marine grunt wisdom. You make the troops carry more sh*t, you're going to have more foot/knee/back injuries.
12-19-2013 | 01:24 PM
#130
Banned
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 798
Likes: 0
From: 757 Capt
This whole policy is an ill-advised play by the flight management cubicle farm. I wouldn't be surprised if the larger corporate entity comes asking about the flight ops spike in health care costs.
Remember, the company pays the health care costs directly. Our co-pays are a drop in the bucket. The company is paying big bucks for frivolous doctors' notes. As a shareholder or an officer I would think this looks pretty stupid.
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Remember, the company pays the health care costs directly. Our co-pays are a drop in the bucket. The company is paying big bucks for frivolous doctors' notes. As a shareholder or an officer I would think this looks pretty stupid.
PIPE
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