Attendance

Take a breath. Sounds very stressful.

So, uh, did you get fired or what? Or you got fired in 1999? Needed to vent?

What's going on?

Not sure if your position was terminated but even with large companies it's not always concrete what is written as the absentee policy. I was told when going over pre-employment paperwork that we were allowed six occurrences per year and then termination. Now, that seems pretty generous to me but I don't have what's going on in your life. However, the HR representative also kept adding at the end of each time she mentioned this, "if you have a problem and it might be an issue, just speak to your director and they can work around it if necessary". Basically, unexpected or difficult situations could be handled on a case by case basis.

Yes, this is the type of thing that FMLA should have been utilized but, again, easier to see that now than in the moment of crisis. Other options are PRN, Flex Pool, agency per diem, etc where you can pick up work on a day to day basis, although if you need benefits they usually don't come with these positions (or are sky high in cost if offered).

Please excuse any typos-sent from iPhone.

Unless your situation has changed, you should consider requesting intermittent FMLA just in case something comes up again (from what you described, it isn't a question of IF but more of WHEN you will need to miss work to assist your family). Intermittent FMLA will allow you to take protected leave as needed without having to apply for FMLA each time. Talk to your HR department about what you need to do to get it set up.

No, I did not get fired. Been working since 1999

Yes....I have since been approved for intermittent FMLA. But here's the deal. THIS rolling calendar I have had 5 call-ins, which calls for a verbal warning. (One of which was going to drop off in 5 days, but IT IS policy) 2 days were when my dr put me on metformin and it made me very sick. 2 for my daughter's back and 1 when my 11 yr old was vomiting and his dad was in a meeting an hour away and unreachable. However, instead of the verbal warning ( that fellow staff members have received for 5 absences) I received a "write -up". Not good. I was told "I could have been fired last year and that one of my call ins was on a holiday. January 2nd. I have never called in a real holiday in 18 years. But she apparently had to staff for a few hours and she remembers it well.

Where I work, our "verbal warning" is actually in writing (both supervisor and employee sign that a verbal warning was given). It counts as a "verbal" as far as our progressive discipline policy goes.

I am sorry that you were written up. Is there any way to change departments/supervisors?

I still wouldn't worry so much- sometimes a call in is unavoidable. Life happens.

You still have a job. You don't call in for stuff unless it's a big deal. You have the FMLA. Just move past these busy times and go forward.

Honestly, if an employer is as rigid as they sound with policy in what's been happening in your life, I wouldn't really like to work for them. That's my secret way of saying I'd be looking to see what other jobs are out there. hint hint