Sick Leave Chronicles: How Not to Use Your Sick Days 

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By Calisha K. Spencer, Human Resources Practitioner 

As an HR professional in Antigua, I’ve seen it all when it comes to sick leave requests. Don’t get me wrong—sick leave is a serious topic, designed to ensure employees rest, recover, and return to work healthier and happier. Especially as a recharge in cases where you are possibly mentally overwhelmed. But sometimes, the reasons for calling in sick seem to come straight from a sitcom. Let’s dive into a lighthearted guide on how not to use your sick days.

1. For Recuperating from Carnival … Two Months Later

Yes, Carnival is a big deal here, and the after-party exhaustion is real. But if you’re calling in sick two months after Carnival, claiming you’re still “recovering from all that soca,” you’re definitely pushing it. Next time, rest after the last fete, not just before the Monday meeting.

2. To Binge-Watch Your Favorite Show

No matter how emotionally invested you are in the lives of fictional characters, your boss doesn’t need to know that the reason you’re “feeling unwell” is because your Netflix series dropped its latest season. We get it, cliffhangers are rough—but please, leave the drama for your TV.

3. Because of “Mysterious Weather-Related Illnesses”

Here in Antigua, we’re blessed with beautiful weather most of the year, so using the “weather got me” excuse can only stretch so far. Claiming that the “cold breeze” gave you a flu or the “heatwave” left you too tired to function is not exactly credible. We know the breeze here isn’t that serious!

4. To Avoid Monday Meetings

We’ve all had that sinking feeling when Sunday rolls around and the thought of Monday meetings starts creeping in. However, calling in sick every Monday for “mysterious ailments” only raises more eyebrows than sympathy. Believe it or not, there are easier ways to avoid meetings than suddenly catching “the Monday flu.”

5. Using Sick Leave for Vacation Prep

Taking the week off before your trip to “mentally prepare for your vacation” is a creative approach to sick leave, but no one’s buying it. Vacation time is for vacation prep—sick leave is for when you can’t tell whether your headache is from the flu or the stress of overpacking.

Final Word from HR

At the end of the day, sick leave is a vital resource to help you heal and rest when needed. But let’s not turn it into an extended personal holiday or escape plan from Monday blues. So, the next time you’re tempted to call in sick for non-sick reasons, just remember—there’s always a weekend for those Netflix marathons, family pet vigils, and Carnival after-party naps.

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