Employees Slam New Policy: No Sick Leave Allowed for Child’s Illness
Employees Slam New Policy: No Sick Leave Allowed for Child's Illness
A recent office memo banning sick leave for childcare reasons has sparked widespread criticism and debate online. Shared on Reddit’s antiwork subreddit, the memo announces: “Attention all employees: Calling out because your child is sick is no longer a valid excuse to miss work and will now result in a write-up. We do not employ your children and as such their sickness is not an excuse for you to miss work. Go team!”
This directive has been met with considerable backlash, as it challenges conventional notions of work-life balance and employee rights. Many offices globally allow for time off due to family emergencies, including child illnesses, but this memo’s tone and content have raised eyebrows. A Reddit user questioned, “Where would you report this kind of behaviour?” highlighting the severity of the memo’s impact.
Online reactions have been mixed but predominantly critical. One user humorously suggested, “Yeah, I think that line was actually telling the ‘team’ to leave the company as fast as possible. Dust that resume off folks.” Another commenter pointed out the memo’s attempt to soften its harsh message, noting, “The fact that they know they’re being too mean, so they felt the need to soften the blow at the end.”
Further critiques have focused on the memo’s apparent disregard for family responsibilities. Comments such as, “I guess family doesn’t take teamwork,” and “Funny, ‘cause soon they’ll be saying ‘no team,’” reflect a sentiment that the policy undermines the importance of personal and family care.
In stark contrast to this policy, a company in Thailand has introduced a novel benefit: paid time off for dating, referred to as “Tinder leave.” This initiative allows employees to take time off to pursue romantic interests, akin to annual or sick leave, showcasing a more progressive approach to employee benefits.
The stark difference between these approaches underscores a growing debate on how companies balance employee welfare and operational needs in today’s work environment.
