Ouch! Employee fakes illness to skip work and then gets fired

I cannot tolerate dishonest people, so yes, I think if you lie about being sick to get off work, you should be fired. If someone will lie about this, what else are they going to lie about?

You ask for a day off to play in a baseball tournament.
Your boss says NO.
You call in sick the day of the tournament.
Your boss goes to the tournament and sees you playing.
You tell him you were too sick to bat... but not sick enough, so you could pitch.

Three words.... YOU'RE A MORON !! and deserve to be fired.

I think the guy who went to play baseball should get fired yes. He obviously did not value his job anyway. But, I don't think it's wrong to miss a day to catch up on rest because you're exausted from work related or non work related circumstances. Sometimes you need to shutdown for a day and rest to prevent yourself from getting sick or falling to sleep driving to work.

I think when an employee calls in sick that is the end of it. I think is shocking that some employers would stalk their employee, by driving by that employee's house???? And, if I called in sick, I would not expect my employer to call me back later in the day.... I'm frickin sick... leave me the hell alone until I return to work.....

Perhaps in 30odd years of working I've called in sick the odd time here & there... I do understand there are those employees who call in sick with a bold element of frequency... but still. A boss that's stalkin his sick workers at home is a boss I don't wanna work for to begin with.....

Maybe that'd be a good question for prospective employee's to ask when a HR person asks the applicant in an interview... "So, is there anything you'd like to know about our company"... one could say... "Sure, I was wondering if anyone from the company is going to harass me at home, should I perhaps come down with the flu?" Do you have a policy on that? hahahaha....

What the employee did was deceitful. What did he expect? He asked for the day off; was told he couldn't have it for whatever reason, then he turned around & called in sick that very day. How suspicious is that! By the way, there are a lot of employers out there who do check up on their staff when they've called in sick, but most don't. Years ago, my former employer used to send a rep out to check on absentees. They'd knock on the door,& speak with the employee. Some of the employees of course were aware of the procedure, & would fake being ill when answering the door. Of course, they didn't invite the rep into the home...they didn't have to. Just because someone doesn't answer the phone or answering machine doesn't mean they're not home; so any of you employers out there reading this, take heed. After some time, the previous employer stopped checking up on people. Remember, it's VERY suspicious if you call in sick on the day you've been refused to have off.

Someone could be sick in many ways, having a cold or flu is not the only way to be sick, I have to take days off sometimes due to the high stress of my job and the anxiety I suffer from it at times which flares up asthma like symptoms, so if my employer called me to check on me I would tell him where to go and then go to my doctor get a doctors note and go on stress leave for months rather then take a day off here and there every 4 months.

All comments so far agree in it was Ok to fire the guy. I strongly disagree. When you get a job, you are offered vacation or personal days, pension, wages and benefits. From my point of view, it does not matter if you take the day off for sickness, for pitching in a baseball game or to go to the beach. It is your right to do so, as long as you have accumulated vacations or personal days.

What would you do if your manager tells you he will pay you a week later than they are supposed to? Or if he says dental plan should be used only on Sundays? Managers should not interfere with the employee's benefits.

When managers refuse to give a day off to an employee, that tells me a lot about the company. It is like saying, "Hey I don't care about you at all". As you can read above, most managers who refuse a day off, are bullies. They think they are entitled to manage other people's lifes. Even chasing them around.

If the technician took a day off to play, what do you think about his manager who took "time off" to see him play. He also left his work place behind. Having bigger salary and responsability, means bigger losses to the company than the ones caused by the technician. I am sure the manager charged all his hours that day, and maybe even the gas as a business expenses. What a douch!

Anyway, thanks for reading this.

hey asd, the employment standards act of at least one and probably more provinces in Canada stipulate that it is within the employers' rights to decide when accumulated vacation days are to be taken by an employee, and the employer even has the right to hold off granting vacation for some period of time into the following year, if need be. You seem to think that if accumulated vacation is present, then it is your right to take it whenever you want. I don't believe that is the intent or the spirit of the Employment Standards Act. Personal days are a different story, and you may be right on a lot of other stuff in the latter part of your commentary, but on the issue of taking accumulated vacation days whenever you want as an employee, I believe you are dead wrong.

@asd... sorry to say... but you are wrong.

He asked for the day off and was refused. How much advance notice did he give the manager ? The manager probably looked at operational requirements and the number of staff for that day available . Some employees may have been on holidays or pre-approved holidays. In any case, it was the manager's determination that the day off could not be granted for that specific day.

Company operational requirements supercede personal requirements such as a day off to play baseball. Let's assume you're a client of the company and have booked a meeting with the technician that day... or you've booked your own day off from work so the technician can come to your house to fix a problem. If the technician is TRULY sick, then it would be acceptable and things could be re-scheduled. Obviously, in this scenario... he was NOT !!

The technician blatantly lied to his manager and potentially screwed company clients.
Sayonara buddy... hope your baseball career works out for ya.

so glad that people are getting called on their actions, it's not about faking a sick call, it's about that handfull of people who constantly do it. It effects the rest of the coworkers, being short handed or having inexperienced people filling in. What's even worse is posting on Facebook what they're doing on the outing the day they're supposed to be sick. We all know the person who is guaranteed to be sick at certain periods, before/after long weekend, before after vacation. accept overtime then call in sick for your regular shift. It's BS and it impacts everyone

"50 percent of workers admit that they call in sick when they're actually not", and the other 50 percent are bold-faced liars! If you're not a total donkey and are a respectable worker, taking a fake sick day every now and then isn't the end of the world.

There are times you need a day off for an appointment etc. during working hours. I think you should be able to request a day without pay, rather than use a sick day.

I agree that the worker who took the day off to play baseball, was definitely not thinking straight when he did this, he has quite some nerve also, and what he did is something he should be fired for. When I was working (now retired), there were a few times (well quite a few) where I did call in sick when I wasn't and looking back now, i should not have done it, only once in my long work life was I ever questioned about my absence, only once. A boss who wants to "stalk" his employees is not a boss at all, he needs to get a life and quit bothering his employees.

I Sometime, take a day off to have sex all day.

Well, I am not an employee. I am a consultant, but here is what happened to me 2 years ago.
Early September I told the director if IT department that "Third Wednesday of October is open season for pheasant hunting in Ontario and I am planning to go for it".
"No way" she said; "The project is behind the schedule and we cannot approve that"
Anyway project went well and I worked hard on the project till the hunting day. That day I woke up and sent her this e-mail is at 3:30am before I put the gun in the car.
Hi..., Today is the third Wednesday of October and I am terribly sick. I will be all day in the hospital so you cannot reach me and I cannot check e-mails either.

And here is what I got when I came back home from hunting: "OK, enjoy!"

I know the question is should you be fired for faking a sick day. Most people seem to be answering based on the above story. There are always more factors then the media presents. In order to fire an employee and keep that employee fired the employer must prove that the employer/employee relationship is broken beyond all repair. One stolen sick day does not constitute that. I have strong suspicions that this employee was deficit in so many areas that this was the proverbial straw. Especially after being denied the time for this reason.
That being said however I would be hard pressed to agree that the employer should be playing private detective and spying on their employees and have that information produced as evidence. WSIB and LTIP have both been reprimanded many times for the way that they gather evidence of suspected abuse that they all but have given up the practice of spying.
If you're sick be sick, if not be at work. That's the best practice. However mental well-being is ok as long as it is not abused. Remember that most CA's negotiate sick time and the number of days is calculated by the employer as part of the employee's compensation package anyway. So it could be said that you have already earned them but taking them can be considered as employment fraud as in the case of the guy above.

Yes fire him.. Too many employees think it is okay to call in sick whenever you need or simply want a day off..It costs the employer money to pay the lazy employee..It ends up costing everyone in the end..

When I worked for Toronto Transit years ago, I was off due to repeated tonsillitis. I had an appointment booked to get them in August, this was only March. So in-between that time I was off a lot...I passed out one day even because of a high fever, and they couldn't understand why. Anyway I was home...doctor's note and all, and was sleeping when the phone rang...I picked it up, said hello...nobody at the other end, however I could hear one of the supervisors in the background so I knew instantly who it was. When I returned back to work they asked how I was feeling...I said still not 100% but until the tonsils come out no doubt I will be this way for a while and then said that the previous week, while feeling like death, I had been sound asleep when the phone rang, I answered it and nobody even said hello...and how rude that was. I also commented that I had a pretty good idea who called because I could recognize voices in the background and that it is pretty bad when people call to check up on you when they know perfectly well you are sick and even have a surgery booked to rectify the situation and then hang up. I caught both supervisors red-handed and very, very red-faced. I have never faked sickness, but when I am sick, I really am. I even had to leave that same job early because I started throwing up...they actually didn't believe me...even though I kept running out of the office. Point is...faking, yes...should be punished. If it is legitimate...it is wrong to punish for that. Also...if I wanted time off, I took a vacation day here and there instead of a week at a time, that way I always time set aside for emergencies or if something came up.

Though it may seem deceiving what the technician did, most of you are loosing sight that the guy was honest and up front with his employer. Employers demand honesty but don't value it, hence employees have to lie about taking a day whether for a mental break, ball game, hunting or whatever the case maybe. He should not have been fired. Many times upper management take time off for golf claiming it is strengthening business relations on company time and money while the "small fries" toil at the office. On the other hand there are many factors surrounding this that is unknown to us as outlined by Chris however my main point is honesty is the best policy and that should be respected!

He actually was honest enough to ask for a day off for this event...I think this boss-man should have just given him the requested day off...i would not want to work for such a dick head anyway

I'm guessing its ok for the boss to phone in sick with out being harassed. I'm also guessing the boss could go to his golf tournament when he wanted the time off, there is as good a chance as any the guy was refused(time off) just because the "boss" could refuse it and for no other reason. Often crappy "bosses" create crappy employees. I try hard to accommodate any of my team when I can, it creates a happier crew, and therefore a more productive one. This boss drives to the game to check up on one employee??? way to much time on this supervisors hands in my world. What world do you live in that you can just go get a doctors note?? since when can you just drop in for a check up when ever you want?? You tell the Dr you have a bad head/back ache what's he going to say no you don't?? and further to that doctors and myself wouldn't want some viral/bacterialed up sick guy hanging around in a public waiting room just because some small minded anal twerp cant stand the fact someone is at home and they are not. If the guy is a cronic abuser ok some work to be done there, but this sounds like a pouting small minded boss "not" at work here.

Old teachers, old school, old mindset....
if the person deserves, why not? let him go, he will be happy with the boss and will be more productive in future...

Why didn't the boss let him have the day off ?. I've worked for a few like that .

Funny I just spoke to a boss that fired a young lady because she had phoned in sick far too many days. Usually on a Friday or a Monday to make long weekends. The point he had was the remainder had to take up the slack and never called in sick unless sick. He gave warnings and pointed out short comings however she didn't care. TILL SHE WAS FIRED!!! Then the tears came and the promises started, he stood his ground and she wanted to sue. He checked and the costs of a lawer to handle this and his ability to boost productivity balanced. She was poison in the company, believing she had the right to just leave at will putting others in a position to work harder. I say fire her!!!!! She will then know the true meaning of work on week days and play on weekends. However if the trust is there and you are sick, no one will chase you down. Respect runs two ways....... Some young and old people need to learn a lesson about work ethics. For those of you with no employees you may want to note that others are watching your every move. The employees want what's fair for all not just some whinny nose little person that just has her own agenda in mind. Fair is Fair!! Fire her ass and get a team player. these days that may take a while.

I have a person at work that calls in sick pretty frequently. (More than most) and I totally could see why an employer would do what is being said in this article. Seeing people put "Sometimes you need to catch up on rest", or stuff like that should realize that you get minimum 2 WEEKS OFF A YEAR. If you need to rest up, then take your vacation time. Don't BS you employer and expect to get away with it. I've been at my job now for 13 years and have NEVER taken a sick day. I'm sure if I had to, I could. But the difference between me and some other people is that I would LEGITIMATELY be sick.

TO THE PEOPLE WHO WROTE THIS ARTICLE!!!!!

YES BUT PLEASE REMEMBER..... Mothers also have to take off when her kids are sick. Give me a percentage of the men tha will miss work when their kids are sick. As a woman that used to work for someone else, I always felt awful when i had to miss.... But put yourself in woman's position. Generally, the majority of families generally have at least 2 kids... Not only the mom has to miss work when she really does get sick but she also have to take time off when her two kids get sick. AND THAT, MY FRIEND, IS REALITY.

WOMAN SHOULD HAVE MORE SICK DAYS!!! And me tell you. Your employer does not care if your kids are sick. WHAT DO YOU DO??? Of course. you have to lie. It's either that or lose your job. That is why i work for myself. It is unfair to women. We expect us to be a good mom, take care of the kids, the house, the meals, the laudry, sick kids, work, work and work (because we all know that in our day, one salary is not enough). Yet, we are expected to pay half of everything and take care of all those other life issues that comes with being a mother, a wife and so on. My husbands comes home. He's had a busy day and he's tired. He expects his meal on the table, his clothes clean, the house clean and the children to be taken care of. I WORK APPR. 60 HOURS A WEEK AT WORK... but i'm NOT allowed to be tired...

THIS WORLD NEEDS TO TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT THE TRUTH. I'M NOT AN EXCEPTION!!!

I PUT MY FOOT DOWN. IF HE'S UNGRY, HE'S GOT TWO ARMS. HE CAN MAKE HIMSELF SOME. HE WANTS CLEAN CLOTHES, HE CAN WASHED THEM. HE WANTS THE HOUSE CLEANED, HE'S A BIG BOY. HE CAN DO IT. I TAKE CARE OF MY KIDS AND ME. I AM NOT MY HUSBAND'S MOTHER NOR DO I WISH TO BE!!!

TO THE PEOPLE WHO WROTE THIS ARTICLE!!!!!

YES BUT PLEASE REMEMBER..... Mothers also have to take off when her kids are sick. Give me a percentage of the men tha will miss work when their kids are sick. As a woman that used to work for someone else, I always felt awful when i had to miss.... But put yourself in woman's position. Generally, the majority of families generally have at least 2 kids... Not only the mom has to miss work when she really does get sick but she also have to take time off when her two kids get sick. AND THAT, MY FRIEND, IS REALITY.

WOMAN SHOULD HAVE MORE SICK DAYS!!! And me tell you. Your employer does not care if your kids are sick. WHAT DO YOU DO??? Of course. you have to lie. It's either that or lose your job. That is why i work for myself. It is unfair to women. We expect us to be a good mom, take care of the kids, the house, the meals, the laudry, sick kids, work, work and work (because we all know that in our day, one salary is not enough). Yet, we are expected to pay half of everything and take care of all those other life issues that comes with being a mother, a wife and so on. My husbands comes home. He's had a busy day and he's tired. He expects his meal on the table, his clothes clean, the house clean and the children to be taken care of. I WORK APPR. 60 HOURS A WEEK AT WORK... but i'm NOT allowed to be tired...

THIS WORLD NEEDS TO TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT THE TRUTH. I'M NOT AN EXCEPTION!!!

I PUT MY FOOT DOWN. IF HE'S UNGRY, HE'S GOT TWO ARMS. HE CAN MAKE HIMSELF SOME. HE WANTS CLEAN CLOTHES, HE CAN WASHED THEM. HE WANTS THE HOUSE CLEANED, HE'S A BIG BOY. HE CAN DO IT. I TAKE CARE OF MY KIDS AND ME. I AM NOT MY HUSBAND'S MOTHER NOR DO I WISH TO BE!!!

First mistake you never ask your boss for a day off. When I need a day off I tell my boss I will not be in on a certain day and that's the end of it. If he asks me what for sorry boss that's none of your fucking business. I'm letting you know in advance that I will not be in and that's that. Bosses have no right to ask you what you need the time for the only time your boss has any control over you what so ever is when you are at your actually workplace. Anything and I mean anything else is none of your bosses concern somewhere down the line employers started to think that they have all the power and right to treat anyone the hire anyway they want let me tell you something people they don't. I'll tell you something else too I am self employed but if my boss drove by my house to see if I was actually sick I would beat his ass and if I was too sick I would wait till I was better beat his ass and then tell him to shove his fucking job.

What a bunch of ass kissers he asked for the day off and the employer said NO ass kissers, fire the guy are you nuts. A job is just that it's just a job why should some jerk stop someone from getting some exercise, fresh air, and a break from a boring job. That baseball game will only be a benefit to his health, a stress reliever. A SMART BOSS WOULD HAVE SAID SURE HAVE A GREAT TIME, HOPE YOU WIN, there is no doubt in my mind he would have more respect for that boss and be more productive. If everyone or the same guy does it again only then should a smart boss say lets have a group meeting and figure out a way so that we can have time off to do other things as long as the work gets done.
All you ass kissers that say he deserves to be fired are cowards and don't call him a liar until you can put your hand on the bible and swear you never told a lie ever, you are not a judge just an everyday RAT AND ASS KISSER.
I guess Bill Gates and the facebook guy should be told to monitor their employees better eh.
I say lets get rid of all these Ass Kissers and when we come across a jerk boss show him who is the boss, most of them are bosses because they are rats or incompetent to begin with.

Of course the guy had to lie, the employer wouldn't give him ONE day off. Give me a break. Unless there was something really urgent or important scheduled for that day, what's wrong with giving your employee a break! They will respect the employer more and will be less likely to lie.