Lifestyle

Could I get in trouble for calling in sick on Labor day?

On short notice my employer told us we have to work on Labor Day — which is ironic, considering it’s supposed to be a holiday celebrating workers. If I call in sick, can my boss take any action against me?

The point of Labor Day is to celebrate the social and economic achievements of workers. So if lying to your boss about why you can’t come to work is an achievement for you, then go right ahead — fake-cough your way to the grill and beer.

Millions of people have to work on holidays — people need last-minute charcoal, bags of ice, extra porterhouse steaks and blackened salmon when unexpected guests arrive (umm . . . just sayin’). The news doesn’t take a holiday; transportation doesn’t call in sick. If your job is one in which working the occasional holiday is part of the gig, well, you signed up for it — unless you made travel plans to be out of town, in which case discuss that with your boss, and I’m sure other coverage can be arranged.

But if you don’t want to work and don’t show up, your colleagues will likely have to work harder thanks to you. Oh, and finally, lying about anything is cause for termination. Happy Labor Day!


It’s back-to-school time, which always makes me long to continue my education. Do you think it’s beneficial to get an advanced degree and then return to the work force?

That’s like asking if you’ll catch more fish if you move to a different spot or change your lures. (Can you tell where my mind is today in my responses, folks?!)

The decision to continue your education depends on so many factors, but generally, unless you are in a job or field completely different from what you want to pursue, and unless you can afford to quit your job and go back to school full-time, it’s usually better to stay in the work force and get an advanced degree part-time — and only if that advanced degree is recognized in the industry as beneficial or necessary for career advancement. Good luck.