Absences make the firms grow tougher

[Jim Sagle]

By Barbara Rose
Tribune staff reporter
Published April 18, 2005

<snip>

Punching in one minute to one hour late earns half a point. Missing one to two hours merits one point. A full day adds two points.

Six points results in a reprimand; 10 points, suspension without pay. Employees can be fired if they exceed 12 points within a year.

Such "no-fault" attendance programs, which run counter to the trend toward more family-friendly workplaces, are migrating from factories and warehouses to white-collar environments as companies try to standardize discipline and wrest greater control over workers' schedules.

<snip>

Such policies are gaining sway in an unforgiving economy where staffing is lean and turnover and absenteeism are chronic problems in some lower-paying clerical, technical and service jobs, experts said.

More… http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0504180161apr18,1,3475400.story?coll=chi-business-hed

This shit has GOT to stop.

[Deja Q]

1. Amazing how that "pro-family" party also openly supports this.

Doubly amazing how half our population STILL readily votes for them.

[Vitruvius]

2. It's a good way for companies to get rid of anybody with a chronic illness

up to & including cancer victims -- or anybody with a child with a chronic illness. Thus saving a mint on employee-related healthcare costs...

It always pays to look for the hidden motivation -- which is always about the money.

The same applies to employee (and pre-employment) "drug testing"; with a sample of your urine or blood, employers find out about all kinds of medical conditions; e.g. diabetes, pregnancy,...; they can also detect any medications you are taking...

And when a potential employer asks for your consent to a pre-employment credit check, they aren't interested in your credit, they're interested in what your current salary is. So they can make you a suitably low-ball offer...

It's always about the money. And screwing the employee. Companies -- and managers -- are big on "loyalty" -- from us to them, but they show NO loyalty whatsoever in return. Never have, never will.

Vitruvius

P.S: You can be sure that these absentee control programs don't apply to the in-at-10, 2-hour-lunch, out-at-4 managers.

[cap]

3. I am wondering if anyone can get a suit going

for example, age discrimination because illness weighs more heavily on the over 40. ADA for disabilities etc.

[LiberalFighter]

4. Could it be because they could never possibly be late??

[Newsjock]

5. The only thing that will stop this

... is if people refuse to work for employers who do this kind of thing. And in today's world, there's always some sucker willing to submit to this kind of treatment.

But eventually there will be a tipping point.