Unfortunately, that’s not how it works in the US. Not only do we have to have a valid reason to be off (and I can tell you from experience, chronic migraines or my cat needs surgery often aren’t good enough), but we also have to provide a doctor’s note. Our boss has the right to deny our leave as well. And, depending on your company, your amount of leave sucks, too. I only get 10 days, and everyone says that’s fair because I “get to work only 9 months.” Never mind that I work 50-60 hours a week (minimum) for 9 months.

Though it shouldn't be so, the one day I called in sick from work, i got grilled so hard about it. I'm sure the cnas didn't get grilled so badly since they seem to call off all the time. I was literally on the floor feeling like I would pass out when I got home from work, and had been feeling bad all day my previous shift. Heck, today I got food poisoning and was on the toilet half the morning and threw up a bunch in my garbage. I'm not calling out tomorrow and plan on taking anti diarrhea meds just to be safe. (I like to let it run its course first before I take it unless I really really must go out) but I feel like it has as when I threw up, I had a ton of dry heaving at the end and haven't had any bouts since. I literally had to rotate from laying in the cool floor (to feel better) to back on the toilet, and when I walked to get water, I was zigzagging. When it was over, I felt hella weak and didn't think I'd make it to the bed, but a little sleep fixed that up good. Too bad that was my one day off, so it didn't feel like a day off with all that diarrhea and vomiting, Haha. But had that happened tomorrow morning (as I work overnight) I would have taken some anti diarrhea meds and gone to work and avoided food at all costs. I'm gonna have to avoid food tomorrow too, but luckily it's just an 8 hour shift.