# Do you feel you should be entitled to a skip work day? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 3, 2021, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-feel-you-should-be-entitled-to-a-skip-work-day/955461 "2021-12-03T19:09:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2021, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-feel-you-should-be-entitled-to-a-skip-work-day/955461/1 "2021-12-03T19:09:24Z")
You wake up one day, you’re not sick, but you say to yourself: “You know what? I’m calling in”. Do you feel you’re entitled to such a break so long as they are few and far in between? _Poll ([view on site](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-feel-you-should-be-entitled-to-a-skip-work-day/955461/1))_ ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2021, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-feel-you-should-be-entitled-to-a-skip-work-day/955461/2 "2021-12-03T19:14:00Z")
Not only do I feel entitled to it, I’ve done it a time or two. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2021, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-feel-you-should-be-entitled-to-a-skip-work-day/955461/3 "2021-12-03T19:17:55Z")
As an employer, I’m okay with that, if the days are chosen wisely. (i.e., not a day we’re counting on you for something in particular) ---
**Author:** ![Bashorian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bashorian/32/3546_2.png) [@Bashorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bashorian)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2021, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-feel-you-should-be-entitled-to-a-skip-work-day/955461/4 "2021-12-03T19:18:03Z")
My employer (me) recognizes that taking an occasional day off can do wonders for mental health, and there are times when an employee isn’t in the right head space to accomplish much. It’s as much of a sick day as anything else. ---
**Author:** ![raspberry\_hunter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b19c9b/32.png) [@raspberry\_hunter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raspberry_hunter)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2021, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-feel-you-should-be-entitled-to-a-skip-work-day/955461/5 "2021-12-03T19:18:57Z")
Sure, as long as you TELL work that you’re not going to be in so that no one’s expecting you to catch balls that you’re not since you’re gone. (Not that I’ve had to deal with this or anything…) ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2021, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-feel-you-should-be-entitled-to-a-skip-work-day/955461/6 "2021-12-03T19:20:31Z")
> [@Bashorian](#): > > My employer (me) recognizes that taking an occasional day off can do wonders for mental health, and there are times when an employee isn’t in the right head space to accomplish much. It’s as much of a sick day as anything else. This, exactly. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanubv.2/32/3260_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2021, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-feel-you-should-be-entitled-to-a-skip-work-day/955461/7 "2021-12-03T19:24:39Z")
Entitled to? Hell no. Then again, I’m loathe to call in sick, even if it’s warranted (but I realize that’s a personal hangup). I guess it depends on who will be affected by it and what the culture is in one’s place of work. I work with a few people who feel this entitlement and it can really fuck things up for the rest of us. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2021, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-feel-you-should-be-entitled-to-a-skip-work-day/955461/8 "2021-12-03T19:33:53Z")
If they don’t want me to take days off, they shouldn’t give me sick leave. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2021, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-feel-you-should-be-entitled-to-a-skip-work-day/955461/9 "2021-12-03T19:36:58Z")
They give me PTO. I think that’s the definition of “entitled” ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2021, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-feel-you-should-be-entitled-to-a-skip-work-day/955461/10 "2021-12-03T20:04:25Z")
Agreed. I used to allow my kids to skip a day of school as well, as long as they didn’t abuse it. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanubv.2/32/3260_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2021, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-feel-you-should-be-entitled-to-a-skip-work-day/955461/11 "2021-12-03T20:07:05Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > They give me PTO. I think that’s the definition of “entitled” Without prior notification? I agree, an employee is entitled to use those days as they see fit, _with prior notice_, or if you’re actually sick. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2021, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-feel-you-should-be-entitled-to-a-skip-work-day/955461/12 "2021-12-03T20:12:19Z")
“Actually sick?” Who gets to define that? If I’m sick of dealing with my job and a day off will make me feel better about the whole situation then I’d say I’m actually sick. Mental health is also health, and mental health care is health care. Take the day if you need it. I think it’s a more valid question to ask why your employer feels entitled to your time if you’re not up to it. ---
**Author:** ![storyteller0910](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecae2f/32.png) [@storyteller0910](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/storyteller0910)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2021, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-feel-you-should-be-entitled-to-a-skip-work-day/955461/13 "2021-12-03T20:22:47Z")
I feel no guilt whatsoever. Time off is part of my compensation, and I don’t think I’m obligated to forgo it any more than I’m obligated to forgo some of my salary. At every company where I’ve worked in the last 15 years, “sick time” isn’t really a concept - you get a certain number of PTO days and can use them as you see fit. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2021, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-feel-you-should-be-entitled-to-a-skip-work-day/955461/14 "2021-12-03T20:27:11Z")
If I don’t teach, I need to write a lesson plan for a sub anyway. If I don’t provide counseling, people go without their session (and I don’t get paid). Days off planned ahead strategically: Sure. As, “I won’t be seeing people Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Would you like to have an appointment on Tuesday?” ---
**Author:** ![Ranch\_Dip](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranch_dip/32/5238_2.png) [@Ranch\_Dip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranch_Dip)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2021, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-feel-you-should-be-entitled-to-a-skip-work-day/955461/15 "2021-12-03T20:31:33Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](#): > > I guess it depends on who will be affected by it and what the culture is in one’s place of work. I work with a few people who feel this entitlement and it can really fuck things up for the rest of us. Meh. If I died, they would have to figure it out, so they can figure it out. I do take mental health days when I need them. And I don’t feel bad about it. ---
**Author:** ![Kropotkin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kropotkin/32/18045_2.png) [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2021, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-feel-you-should-be-entitled-to-a-skip-work-day/955461/16 "2021-12-03T20:33:31Z")
Until we all have equal, free, democratic access to the means of production, any employment relationship is one of coercion and taking a day off is an act of resistance. “Entitlement” does not enter into it. Should one be careful not to raise the boss’s suspicions? Sure. Other than that, it’s subaltern resistance and the lessons here are 1) it’s inevitable 2) it sucks being a boss (cue world’s smallest violin) ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2021, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-feel-you-should-be-entitled-to-a-skip-work-day/955461/17 "2021-12-03T20:34:30Z")
No work on a powder day. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2021, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-feel-you-should-be-entitled-to-a-skip-work-day/955461/18 "2021-12-03T20:35:29Z")
I’d taken mental health days, but I only did it when I knew it wouldn’t affect a deadline or otherwise cause a problem. I didn’t do it often, but most of the times it was after I’d had a really bad, sleepless night and I knew I’d be close to worthless in the office. ---
**Author:** ![MoonMoon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moonmoon/32/2959_2.png) [@MoonMoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MoonMoon)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2021, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-feel-you-should-be-entitled-to-a-skip-work-day/955461/19 "2021-12-03T20:42:26Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](#): > > Without prior notification? I agree, an employee is entitled to use those days as they see fit, _with prior notice_ , or if you’re actually sick. I’m an adult, and as such, can manage my own time. I know if I have something due, or have an important meeting that day, so I won’t take a mental health day. However, it’s my time and it’s my call to make; entitlement doesn’t come into it. And, if I may speak for your coworkers, _take sick days when you’re sick. No one needs you germing up the place._ ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2021, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-feel-you-should-be-entitled-to-a-skip-work-day/955461/20 "2021-12-03T20:51:02Z")
[quote=“MoonMoon, post:19, topic:955461, full:true”] > [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](#): > > And, if I may speak for your coworkers, _take sick days when you’re sick. No one needs you germing up the place._ It took Covid to make it happen, but my employer made it a policy now to NOT come into work if your sick (not just covid but any kind of sick). And the supes have been advised to send anyone home who has so much as the sniffles. People coming into work sick, even before covid, has always been a pet peve of mine. So I’m glad my employer has done this. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-feel-you-should-be-entitled-to-a-skip-work-day/955461.md?page=2)