AHI's Employment Law Resource Center

Reprinted from the January 17, 2008 issue of HR Soapbox, a sounding board where AHI editors give you a lively and interesting read on HR topics causing consternation in the ranks, as well as the opportunity to put in your two cents.
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Buying A Day Off

I admit it. I've laid in the comfort of my bed after my alarm clock goes off and thought about calling out sick. Of course I'm not sick, but I could get sick by having to leave the warmth of my bed. And, now that I come to think of it, my throat does feel a little scratchy, so I shouldn't chance it, right? "Wrong! Wrong! Wrong!" chants the angel on my shoulder.

Online companies, however, are making it easier for the devil on some employees' shoulders to prevail. Twenty-five bucks buys a complete fake-absences package from one website that includes official-looking templates for doctor's notes, emergency room visits, jury service, and funeral leave, which conveniently comes with comforting poems and a list of pallbearers. At another site, $10 allows you to print out a personalized excuse after keying in certain information, like the name of a local doctor or hospital.

These websites claim that they are for entertainment purposes only, but I'd wager that very few individuals who purchase online excuses are using them exclusively for laughs. In fact, my guess is that paying for a fake excuse is indicative of a bigger problem and should prompt employers to ask, "Why did the employee feel the need to buy an excuse in the first place?" Is it because the employee's manager has repeatedly denied the employee's request for time off without good reason? Because the employee will do anything to avoid a harassing co-worker?

I'm not advocating letting employees get away with presenting fraudulent documentation (they should be disciplined), but I am suggesting taking a closer look at what's motivating the employee to actually pay for an excuse to miss work. I'd think your average worker who simply wants a mental health day is creative enough to come up with an excuse without having to shell out his/her hard-earned cash.

Good luck, stay legal, and keep an eye out for fraudulent excuses!

Melissa V. Pomerantz
Editor

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