Gripe, gripe

I have to gripe about a fellow worker.

We have a policy of doctor-certified sick leave that covers 9 months at full pay and 9 months at half pay. Once all the sick leave is used up it takes a certain number of years of work to build it back up. Or, if you truly cannot work, you have to go on disability, which is paid by our insurance company, not by our employer.

This colleague, who is a whiner hated by almost all, has in the past couple of years used up all her full-pay and half-pay sick days. Nobody knows what is wrong with her, as she refuses to discuss it.

Two weeks ago, we learned that she was back on “extended” sick leave. But this past Monday, she was back at work. The reason? She ran out of doctor-certified sick leave. So what gives? She was too unwell to work until her days ran out? And then suddenly she felt able to work again?

Why is the administration doing nothing? Her boss tried to get rid of her, but you can’t fire someone while they are off sick. And since she is almost never at work, he gave up. Now he is retiring and doesn’t give a damn anymore.

If she doesn’t want to work, and has a doctor willing to certify it, why not go on disability until retirement. I'm sure her doctor will sign off on anything just to get her off his back. Nobody here will mind, and she gets to stay home. Be off with you!