Wrongful Write up! -- "I did not provide coverage for my absence."

[Christelle2]

I recently was out due to illness. I called my superviser and left a message informing him my doctor has taken me off work for a week. I called my employee and left a message with her informing her I will not be in for a week. I then left a message on my voice mail stating I will not be in for a week and a contact person to call in my absense. When I returned to work with my doctors note. I was given a write up stating I did not provide coverage for my absence. My company does not have a policy for this. Is there a law I can refer to that informs them I am not obligated to find coverage when I am out sick? Please advise I have a meeting Monday morning.

There is no requirement that any employee provide cover if he or she is ill---in any jurisdiction.

[Friend In Court]

When you refer to coverage I assume you mean proof from your doctor that you in fact were ill to document why you were absent from work;

This is not a legal issue but a policy issue of your employer. They can ask for proof of your illness to justify your being off work for a week -- and not taking a vacation to "Vegas or the beach. A phenomenal number of grandmothers or other relatives die on opening day of baseball season for some reason. The employer is not being unreasonable so my advice is get a note from your doctor.