If you're one of the unfortunate people who caught the stomach bug that's going around (hi), or the flu, or the nasty colds that seem to be sweeping the nation, you've probably already used a sick day this year. And that's a bummer. Because we want to use sick days for when it's nice out and we can go to the beach. Because no one likes being sick. And if you haven't yet called in sick this year, you probably did at some point last year. And if you didn't last year, you probably did the year before. And -- well, let me just cut to the chase here: A woman who just retired from her job as a postal worker didn't use a single sick day -- in 44 years.
Deborah Ford, 64, retired recently from being the time and attendance control technician at a Detroit post office. For years, Ford was in charge of logging time cards and attendance records -- yet, ironically, she never used a sick day of her own. At her send-off luncheon, Ford was presented with a retirement proclamation that enabled her to retire with a sick-leave balance of 4,508 hours.
So, what's Ford's secret?
Well, according to her, there isn't one. "I have no secrets," she said. "But a positive attitude helps." We had a little chat about this in the office, and some people seem to think that Ford's real secret to perfect attendance is not having kids. I don't totally disagree with this sentiment, as sometimes you have to take a sick day when your kid is sick. But this is impressive nonetheless.
Apparently she takes a vacation day if she has a doctor's appointment, and she says that when she's feeling lousy, she just "shakes it off."
Shake it off. I like that. Mind over matter. But every once in a while, isn't it nice to just huddle under the covers with some chicken soup and a West Wing marathon?
Do you call in sick a lot?
Image via ghindo/Flickr
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Comments 6
my mom worked 13 years without taking a sick day off. she only came home a few times sick but after working the majority of her shift.
Oh good lord! To the non member bitching about tax payers paying her salary - you got your mail didn't you?? I work for an out sourced branch of the post office, so the tax payers do not pay me - but damnit, it's hard to take a day off when you work in mail !! My branch was closed on MLK Day - and guess what? The next day, Tuesday we were so swamped it was ridiculous! We ended up having to stay 2 hours over to get the shit done!
I do my best not to take a day off, because it can and it will put me so far behind. When I do have to take a day off, I try to get everything done from home that I can. I'm lucky in the sense that I do not actually deliver the mail, but many people at my site do actually deliver mail. When one of them takes a sick day - guess who's out there delivering their mail? Me. Guess who's work is getting behind,?? Mine - because I have a desk job, and you people want your mail, no matter who's sick right? You don't want to have to wait an extra day for a check, or a birthday card, or a package, just because your postal worker got sick -
There have been plenty of times where I have been sick and my boss has begged me to come in. It's part of the job! I'm happy for her, an extra 2 years of paid time is awesome!