Use of Paid Time Off

dhnyct · May 2001

Since accrued PTO includes time for vacation, personal, and sick leave, should a supervisor write someone up for calling in with a bonafide reason? We require planned leave to be requested in advance, but sometimes "things happen". Should we also require written statement of necessity for unplanned instances? Writeups could then be issued in cases of abuse.

Also, what about employees who will only state the absence is "personal"?

Pamela · May 2001

Whether or not the law in your state allows you to require a reason for requesting the absence, I would caution you away from a policy that requires detailed information on the absence. If you know too much information about the employee's out-of-office activities, you put yourself in a vulnerable position should you ever have to take disciplinary or termination action. For instance, suppose an employee reveals that they are requesting time off to attend an appointment with their psychiatrist - you may be set up for a charge of regarding the person as disabled. or suppose you find out the employee is attending a convention of a minority religious sect. And regardless fo what you find out, employees will resent anything they feel is too much intrusion into their private lives. So narrow the info you require to the most general info that will allow you to administer your policy.

Use of Paid Time Off

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