thank you! I'm Canadian and I've been wondering the same thing. It's very hard to get fired for something like that here. You really have to be a repeat offender and usually, unless it's serious, and there has to be documentation that it's a repeat problem (signed written warnings). Even then, if you're a competent employee they're unlikely to fire you, since it costs them so much to hire someone new. It's not even clear to me what Americans celebrate on Labor Day. Despite unionization, they're still very much at the mercy of their employers, and labor rights are decreasing dangerously. Race to the bottom?

Lying to get out of work for a child's birthday is a highly irresponsible way to run a family. You are breaching your employee contract and hence jepordising your job, and family security. This isn't about the boss being unfair, or cruel, this is about someone who did not fulfill their obligations in favour of something that could have been planned a different day, or you know, booked off in advance. Work can be hard, and a strain on family life, but bitching about something you did wrong will get no where in life.

It depends on what you deem 'responsible' behaviour. Personally, I think if it's a big enough deal for you (like a very special occasion) then it's ok to lie occasionally. Besides, you get 80 years to live and then you die. No one's going to write the number of sick days you took on your gravestone are they? And it'll be kind of tough to attend loved-ones special events once you're 6 feet under... NB: I think you are right on one thing- in the US by lying you would breach your contract, threaten family security etc. etc. but it's worth bearing in mind that there are other countries in this World where we have things like social security, benefits, income support and nationalised health care to avoid situations in which people lose their jobs (whether through their own fault or not) and then basically are allowed to fall off the bottom of the ladder, can't pay health costs, can't feed your family, get into a spiral of debt etc. Land of the free? I think I'll stick with what I got, thanks :)

From the UK myself. And benefits is no way of life, trust me! And that's just based on my experience of just me. It also makes me more thankful for the job that took me so long to get, and I definitely wouldn't risk it for something that I planned poorly, or at least if I did I'd know it was my fault. I have financial obligations and I'm young and childless! But in a family you have to think things through for the good of everyone short term and long term. So yeah. Don't lie if still want your job, and definitely don't complain if you get caught out!

#130 I'm with ya. Most workplaces, where I live anyway, have a 'probation period' usually 3-6 months. In this time they can decide whether or not you're a good employee and fire you for basically anything. After this time its very difficult to get fired.