To Managers & Supervisors

Let's say you have an excellent employee who never misses work. BUT one day he or she starts "calling in sick." The employee misses a day here and a day there. Sometimes he or she has a doctor's excuse and sometimes they don't.

THIS TYPE OF BEHAVIOR IS A CRY FOR HELP!

Something is happening in their life that you may not be aware of. Maybe they are having health problems or maybe a family member is having health problems or maybe the employee is going through a divorce. There are all kinds of situations that will cause an employee to do this cry for help.

You may ask "Why don't they just come talk to me about it?"

They do not feel comfortable talking to you. They are afraid you are going to tell all of their coworkers about their personal life. They are afraid you might fire them. They are afraid you will judge them or view them differently.

Before you decide to do disciplinary action toward this employee, please sit them down and talk to them privately. Let them know you are concerned about their behavior and their life outside of work. If you discipline them without knowing the whole story, it will make matters worse.

What if the employee decides not to talk during this one on one private time?

Let them know you are concerned about their well being. Let them know that you are there to help. Let them know they can trust you and you will not spread their personal business around the company. BUT also let them know that if you do not have the full story, you will have to take disciplinary action toward them. Advise them of standard policy and procedure and let them know there are exceptions to the rule. Exceptions will be made for extenuating circumstances.