Union advises members to throw a 'sickie'!

[InsaneApache]

A row has broken out between employers and the union Amicus after it was accused of advising people how to take "sickies" to watch the World Cup.

On its website, the union says it is "difficult to prove someone is not really sick" and offers a line of defence to workers who are caught out.

But Stephen Alambriitis of the Federation of Small Business says that, with absence costing the UK economy £13bn a year, it does not need a major trade union offering guidance on the best way to throw a "sickie".

He told the BBC that publishing such advice was "grossly unfair on all staff." and he urged Amicus to withdraw its advice.

linky

Disgusting.

However my take on this is more pragmatic. I have in the past taken a telly to work and got the staff together and watched the footy. It's good for morale and shows the team that we are all in the same boat. I'd like to take days off to watch England play, but if I don't work, I don't get paid. Simple as. Also to ban the matches would be like acting like King Canute, sometimes the path of least resistance is the right path.

But for a public sector union to advise this is tantamount to theft as taxpayers pay their wages. Perhaps the union should pay the wages and see how they like that.

[English assassin]

Hmm. I notice the BBC story does not also report that the BBC are threatening firms that have a TV on their premises to watch games without a TV Licence?

[Red Peasant]

Yeah, I remember in one place I worked that a manager (David Brent type) brought a crappy little portable in to work so we could watch Euro 2004. He disappeared to a 'meeting' (ie the pub to watch the match) and left his sidekick to make sure we were so busy that we never got to watch much of the game anyway. Next game ... I was sick. Vive la Revolution!

And no I didn't feel guilty for that slave-driving, pittance-paying, tuppenny-halpenny operation! In fact, it made me feel empowered - I'm human, not a doormat! Yay!

[Ja'chyra]

linky

Disgusting.

However my take on this is more pragmatic. I have in the past taken a telly to work and got the staff together and watched the footy. It's good for morale and shows the team that we are all in the same boat. I'd like to take days off to watch England play, but if I don't work, I don't get paid. Simple as. Also to ban the matches would be like acting like King Canute, sometimes the path of least resistance is the right path.

But for a public sector union to advise this is tantamount to theft as taxpayers pay their wages. Perhaps the union should pay the wages and see how they like that.

Welcome to Amicus
Amicus the union is dedicated to serving the needs
and best interests of its members who are currently experiencing life in the modern workplace.

Representing all workers in both the public and private sectors, Amicus is dedicated to improving their standard of living and the quality of their lives through effective relationships with employers and government.

You can do better than that IA.

[Papewaio]

Wow, our company bought a 37" flat screen for staff to watch the Melbourne cup on, and has another large flat screen XBOX 360s plus automated cappocino machines on each level...

[InsaneApache]

You can do better than that IA.

You're right I can.

Part of the unions members work in the public sector and are funded by taxpayers. This is tantamount to theft. Perhaps the union would like to pay the wages of that portion of them who work for the public sector and see how they like that. As for the section that work in the private sector it's ok to screw your employer who puts food on your table and a roof over your head, after all it's a well known fact that they are a slave-driving, pittance-paying, tuppenny-halpenny operation and deserve everything they get.

Is that better?

[Idaho]

Typical knicker-wetting, curtain twitching nonsense from the 'PC Gone mad' Brigade. The full story is far less dramatic than these Daily Mail-esque headlines.

2 out of 10 must try harder

[InsaneApache]

2 out of 10 wow! I usually just get an 'E' for effort. I am improving.

[KukriKhan]

2 questions:
1) When one 'throws a sickie', is one paid for that day?*
2) Must all TV's be licensed?

*Some union contracts here allow 'sick leave', a paid day off; it's a"use it or lose it" provision, though - you can't save it up and cash it in at retirement, for example.

[ShadesWolf]

Typical knicker-wetting, curtain twitching nonsense from the 'PC Gone mad' Brigade. The full story is far less dramatic than these Daily Mail-esque headlines.

2 out of 10 must try harder

Said like a true union man

[Duke of Gloucester]

All public sector workers get paid for days off sick. IIRC (well it was 20 years ago) they are entitled to six months continuous sick leave at full pay, followed by six months half pay.

The word "all" is dangerous. Locum doctors and supply teachers don't get paid if they don't work, but almost all workers get paid for days off sick. My public sector contract is exactly what you state: six months at full pay and six months at half pay.

I am not sure where this idea that throwing a sickie is worse if you work in the public sector. Whatever way you look at it, you are defrauding your employer and this is equally bad whether you work for the government, a multinational or a tiny business.

If you read the union website carefully they don't advise their members to pretend to be ill; they just tell them what might happen if they do, i.e that they will probably get away with it, but might be in serious trouble if caught. Of course they should advise their members not to throw a sickie because it is theft and also because other union members, maybe the ones who don't like football have to cover for them so it is unfair on colleagues too. This piece of advice is missing, unfortunately.