to ask what reasonable attendance looks like?

[lessonsintightropes]

This isn't geared just at kids, but adults at work too.

I've always had what I think is a reasonable sick record at work (usually 2 - 5 days per year because of D&V or flu or whatever). I can't think of a time I've had more than 2 days in a row. DH OTOH had 2 months off for a broken collarbone and then 3 months off with sarcoidosis (a couple of years apart). People do just get sick, or break things.

I am a bit disturbed by people posting about 100% attendance certs for kids and prizes being attached - I would be more worried about my (currently hypothetical but much wanted) DCs getting sick from someone coming to school ill than people having the odd skive if it was going to make others ill.

DH works in HR and tells me 2 or less occasions of sickness with fewer than 5 days overall doesn't set off 'alarms' about potential lead-swinging in his outsourcing company (although there are hilarious stats that 23% of the IT team phoned in sick when GTA5 came out).

Can anyone tell me a reasonably reasonable explanation for monitoring sickness in general terms rather than by person? Am I too trusting? Can't recall a time when I called in sick unless it was genuine (apart from maybe once last year which was totally self inflicted!!!) I think kids have less reason in terms of getting ill because of being run down and tired as they have so many holiday days, unlike adults who have far fewer...

Que? What do you want to know?

Is it reasonable to expect that kids might be unwell for 1 or more days a year, and so are 100% attendance certificates perverse incentives for those who might not get any other praise and which might result in illness for others. Sorry, this was about the worst worded AIBU I've ever done!

I've had 2 days off sick in the last 3-4 years (shingles outbreak). However, in my job if I'm feeling a bitbunder tge weather (ie bad cold) I can work from home. I may not be as productive as I normally would be, but I do work and I'm not spreading my germs around the office. I don't agree with 100% attendance as it just encourages people to come in when they are sick, and spread their germs. But on the otherhand, I also don't agree with people taking time off work for the slightest sniffle (or GTA5!)

I used to have a good sickness record until the last couple of years

then I had my 2 dd's (pregnancy is the only thing that kept me off a warning!)

mumps

flu

stress/ anxiety due to workplace bullying (that was thankfully proven! go work!)

and physiotherapy on an issue on my legs to do with prev pregnancy and posture

I hope to go back to work next year in top form as it was all a bit embarrassing and made my job harder!

DS has already had 3 episodes of illness since the beginning of term - one of 2 days and 2 of 4 days. Each time he has vomitted so has to stay off for at least 48 hours as per school policy. It does seem unfair for children to be punished for something they have no control over.

I don't work in HR but I have been an employer and a line manager, and iirc, long periods for a specific condition are generally more 'acceptable' than say half a dozen isolated non specific URTI/DV days scattered throughout the year.

And OP, if you have had even one day for a hangover, and you are rumbled I would be very worried if I were you!

But as for certificates and prizes at school...madness, total madness imho!

only in the UK is giving someone a certificate punishing someone who doesn't get one..... do you feel punished because I got a pay rise last month?

there is no "reasonable" level of absence it varies person to person, year to year.....

long ago I worked in a civil service department where 10 days on the sick was almost deemed compulsory!!! it was privatised, employees were no longer paid for the first 2 days sick absence and had to be interviewed by their manager for every absence... sickness levels fell to nothing after the "outraged" left.....

Above 94% is our school target. I think that's less than 12 days a year.

Seems reasonable in theory, in practice a week of in the winter term with a vile virus that turns in earache makes them huffy and send out letters.

That year must have cost a fortune in letters as 1/2 the DCs had a nasty cold virus and a separate D&V bug. DD2 was far from the only one genuinely ill for ~6-9 days that term.

Total waste of paper, the HT knew everyone was ill, lots if the staff were too and she was having trouble getting enough supply teachers as surrounding schools also had the bugs.