Sick Leave and Work Absences

Your administrators should NEVER ask you about any medical condition or diagnosis you have, even if it is something very common.  That’s illegal.  It relates to federal HIPPA laws.  It’s really none of their business.

​YOU can bring it up if you need help in doing your job.  For example, if you have a serious bladder control issue, the district, no different than any employer, is required to provide accommodations if possible.  For example, in that case, moving your classroom to the nearest bathroom.  Or, having another staff watch your classroom in an emergency.

If you call in sick one day, they should not be prying and asking why.  That’s sort of a passive-aggressive way of trying to find out if you were REALLY sick.  My recommendation is to just say, “I was sick, and now I feel much better.”  Smile and leave it at that.

Conversely, administrators can ding you on evaluations if there is a trend in your absences.  For example, Fridays before a vacation.  Or a certain day of the week.  Or, if you’re absent often.  What’s often?  That’s a good question, and that’s subjective just like most parts of an evaluation. 

A fraudulent use of sick leave (using it when you’re not sick) is actually grounds for dismissal because it is considered a misuse of tax dollars.  Termination wouldn’t happen right away unless there were several discipline issues prior to that. 

Termination?  And you thought we had tenure.  That’s a topic for next week.