Phil’s Diary - [Blog @ http://www.philsdiary.net/]
This is quite an interesting argument. The most obvious thing is that a lot of workers probably didn’t need a suggestion to be tempted to take a sickie. I wouldn’t be surprised if at one time or another everyone had considered it (I’ve not had a day off sick yet as far as I can remember, let alone a fake one).
The second is, that surely this is down to the businesses, to make work life good enough that worker don’t consider taking days off (carrot), or the alternative (stick) of making the punishment and detection such that it’s not worth trying.
Of course firms don’t want Alton Towers snagging their workers while they should be at work, but likewise it’s money for Alton Towers if they can persuade them to go.
This comes around to the current wider issue of whether the government, or companies should interfere with things like this. At present there’s lots of talk of persuading fast food companies to shrink their portions.
I think where the difference lies in this case it’s it’s obviously of benefit for one company financially, and detrimental financially to the other. Money is about all that’s at stake. Not public health.
Sure there are lots of long term issues (economy, job security, prosperity etc. etc.), But I’m not sure enough of those are certain.
If I were running my own firm, I’d probably wish that Alton Towers hadn’t reminded people, but I doubt I’d complain.
Posted by Phil on April 21, 2004 08:15 AM | Categories: Thoughts
Best prevention is to make it easy for employees to take half-days off on short notice.
Posted by: sjon at April 22, 2004 7:46 AM