I have a PTO pool like Ken described. PTO has to be requested and approved. If you're sick or have an unexpected personal issue (like childcare etc), then you can request PTO the same day. I don't know if they would ever reject a same day PTO request --probably not because if it's real then the person can't come in regardless. There isn't officially sick time, but I've heard that HR is keeping track of how often you're requesting same day PTO. I don't know what they do if it's too much.
The guy being sick + personal problem could be a mental health thing. I knew a guy with agoraphobia. He worked because everybody needs to work, but he coped with a lot of stress in the process. There are people with OCD, depression, PTSD, and other conditions who are mostly functional except for the days they aren't. It's not our place to judge, but I also definitely couldn't blame the boss for hiring someone else who gets the job done. The girlfriend needing to take care of him is the weirder part in my mind. It's very nice that she has so much sympathy for him, but he's a grown-assed adult and somehow he managed to not die before he met her, so logically he'd make it one more day alone. Or maybe they're just irresponsible. The irresponsible have to be fired, they'll either wise up or remove themselves from the work force, and either way you're doing yourself and all other employers in the area a favor. -Adam ________________________________ From: AF <[email protected]> on behalf of Ken Hohhof <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, December 2, 2025 12:37 PM To: 'AnimalFarm Microwave Users Group' <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [AFMUG] OT tough love If you think of it in terms of your policies and put “this generation” and “woke” out of your mind, it will probably save you some aggravation. Hard to do when you’re the owner, but just following the rules (even if you’re the rulemaker) can avoid getting worked up over something and letting someone spoil your day. I only have one employee other than myself, and he is a relative, so that comes with its own set of issues. Others are 1099 and are low maintenance. My impression is that a lot of companies these days are lumping PTO and sick days together into a pool, my guess is to avoid exactly these issues. No doctors notes or tell me your temperature or sending private detectives to take photos. Ever since the pandemic there are also probably rules about coming to work sick to avoid using up your “pool” days, if you’re clearly sick and likely infectious, you work from home or take a sick day. If someone uses up their pool, then it becomes unpaid leave or longterm disability. It also strikes me that if he said he is sick but also has a personal problem, he must not be the sharpest tool in the shed, he can’t even lie well. Just say you’re sick. Makes you wonder if the sickness involves drugs or alcohol or crime or all of the above, and if the personal problem involves being in jail or rehab or something. But that’s just me, maybe I’m the suspicious sort. From: AF <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Dennis Burgess - LTI Support via AF Sent: Tuesday, December 2, 2025 11:08 AM To: AnimalFarm Microwave Users Group <[email protected]> Cc: Dennis Burgess - LTI Support <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [AFMUG] OT tough love If he has a fever, stay home, after the 1st day sick, you need to bring a Dr note. If not, you are not paid for the time off. You only have so many days. Abuse, or perceived abuse of sick days is grounds for termination, notice may or may not be given. If she needs to stay at home to take care of boyfriend, she can just stay at home without a job. From: AF <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> On Behalf Of [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, December 2, 2025 10:53 AM To: 'AnimalFarm Microwave Users Group' <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> Subject: [AFMUG] OT tough love This morning, our HR list got an email from one of our employees that says he is sick but has a personal problem too and needs the day off. He claimed sick yesterday. I told him to go to the doctor otherwise he needs to come in. Then we got an email from his girlfriend that also works here saying she needed the day off to take care of her boyfriend. I told her that is not how it works, PTO must be pre arranged. If she is sick stay home. Otherwise come to work. This kid of stuff will jeopardize her employment. They are both in early 20s I think. That generation claims to be so unhealthy.. What should be done in these situations? The girl is doing a job of a former employee that was malingering, many weeks over the past couple of years. She was a drama queen and always stirring up trouble. Finally got enough and told her if she didn’t get a doctors note or show up she would be fired. At that she said she is not gonna return until she feels respected. I hit the eject button. Most of our employees are not any problem at all. Many of them have told me this is the best job they have ever had. But we always have one or two problem cases. Like to know the absenteeism policy across the spectrum of companies. I cannot imagine even the most woke companies allow this kind of stuff. Best Regards, Chuck McCown McCown Technology Corporation 8401 N Commerce Drive Lake Point, Utah 84074 801-250-9503 Office www.microtrench-blades.com<https://imsva91-ctp.trendmicro.com:443/wis/clicktime/v1/query?url=http%3a%2f%2fwww.microtrench%2dblades.com&umid=0F4A898A-44FB-2306-A507-A1ED3DF26BF0&auth=079c058f437b7c6303d36c6513e5e8848d0c5ac4-43593ad746ad436f94a2556ee26a299c55496e49> www.mccowntech.com<http://www.mccowntech.com/> www.terabitnetworks.com<https://imsva91-ctp.trendmicro.com:443/wis/clicktime/v1/query?url=http%3a%2f%2fwww.terabitnetworks.com&umid=0F4A898A-44FB-2306-A507-A1ED3DF26BF0&auth=079c058f437b7c6303d36c6513e5e8848d0c5ac4-603e9d23ccfd62670147f5db89bbea8d71e77755>
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