A few years ago, people devised strategies, and even wrote articles, for how they would use texting so they could “text in sick,” instead of calling in. It was all the rage to drop hints the day before that you might not be feeling well, only to then follow up these claims with text messages that you didn’t feel up to working. In fact, this strategy was even promoted as a way to take a long weekend. My how things change and how quickly they can change!
The world of calling in sick increasingly has nothing to do with the text message. Let’s face it; the text message isn’t the most personable thing ever created. In reality, no matter how much we may like text messaging, it makes the communication in question seem less important and more trivial than most other forms of communication.
Recently, the dangers of texting has received more attention in regards to careers and career ambitions. Texting is a tool that has to be used very carefully unless an employee wishes to risk a host of potential problems. Some employers are requiring that workers make an actual old-fashioned phone call if they need to miss work because they are sick. Failing to do so can mean serious consequences as in “goodbye job.”
Today, unlike a few years ago, there are even articles out there that address these issues. They sternly warn employees against using texting to inform an employer of the need for a sick day. In reality, none of this should come as too much of a shock. Texting has its benefits, but it is decidedly unfriendly and impersonal. When a company is paying you to do a job, they often expect a little human contact and respect to go along with the paycheck.
As this Jobacle article points out, texting isn’t just informal; it’s also dangerous. Short messages are easily misunderstood and can come across in the wrong way. The brief nature of text messages can lead to big misunderstandings, which can lead to long unemployment lines! Text messages are not just misunderstood either, as they are often also missed altogether. If you want to call in sick, then you should CALL in sick.
The fact that many companies now require a phone call instead of a text or even an email to inform of an illness underscores another big issue. Knowing company policies should not be undervalued. Those who want to keep their job, and maybe even land a promotion and/or raise, might want to read company policies when accepting a new job. Is it boring to read these types of guidelines? Of course, it’s boring. In fact, what could be more boring than reading company policies? The answer is, “Not much.”
But if you want to protect your livelihood and you truly depend upon the job in question, then it makes sense to know, understand and remember company policies, such as, “Don’t text us about being sick.” Not understanding and acting on such policies could mean termination, whether you’re sick or not. At the very least, you’ll quickly and perhaps irreparably damage your personal stock within a company.
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