Could you ever tell your boss that you

odin70 · #1 11-29-2011, 08:48 AM

are sick (and need to stay home) Because you wanted a gig ?

maxgrant · #2 11-29-2011, 09:10 AM

Well, in America I think a lot of folks don't have that option because most American workers are treated like slaves. I have hours and hours and hours of PTO, and of course if I am sick I just have to eat it out of my PTO, which I now can no longer bank more than 160 hours of (I used to routinely maintain 180 hours PTO).

But of course my profession allows me to act like 'talent' and not 'muscle,' so I have more flexibility than many working Americans do.

If I am not mistaken most European nations give their workers 5-6 weeks of vacation by law, so I am sure it is a little easier to negotiate with your employer because he actually has to treat you like human beings. Here in the states, that kind of treatment is optional and considered a perq. My sister-in-law for example could take 3 days of PTO/vacation a YEAR from her employer, and even then she was written up for taking a vacation day to take her elderly mother to the doctor. YMMV.

odin70 · #3 11-29-2011, 09:17 AM

I guess you are right. Seems to me that it is a little strickter in the US. I feel that our rights here is almost too good. I have a gig next week..and i want it badly. I can get away with it for shure. But it makes me feel bad...

bassinplace · #4 11-29-2011, 09:23 AM

Yes I would and have no qualms about it. How often I could get away with it is another story. I know what side my bread is buttered on.

Jazz Ad · #5 11-29-2011, 09:23 AM

I wouldn't do that around here.
Regulation and control are pretty heavy when it comes to sickness, because you get paid by social security when sick.
If you do a fake declaration and get caught, there are big fines and potential issues with your employer.
It is pretty easy for me to get days off and I'd just do that.

brendanbassist · #6 11-29-2011, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxgrant

Well, in America I think a lot of folks don't have that option because most American workers are treated like slaves.

I have never had a job where I couldn't arrange for time off a week or more in advance, nor have most of my bandmates in any of my bands. That includes people working at restaurants and retail stores. If you think American workers are treated like slaves, you might want to take a better look at some other parts of the world.

Jazz Ad · #7 11-29-2011, 05:49 PM

American workers surely are treated like slaves compared to any other Western country.

bobba66 · #8 11-29-2011, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazz Ad

American workers surely are treated like slaves compared to any other Western country.

Slaves in Africa, or slaves in the Middle East? I doubt slaves get much in the way of health care or paid vacations.

Jazz Ad · #9 11-29-2011, 06:11 PM

You mean health care like I get for free since I was born or paid vacation of which I get 7 1/2 weeks?

**jmattbassplaya** · #10 11-29-2011, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobba66

Slaves in Africa, or slaves in the Middle East? I doubt slaves get much in the way of health care or paid vacations.

I wasn't aware that Africa or the Middle East were considered a part of Western Civilization...

wideload · #11 11-29-2011, 06:16 PM

I took an afternoon off from a job in '88 because we were opening for the Gatlin Bros. at a private party at Pebble Beach. Now I own the company and I can leave whenever I want, but Springsteen hasn't called...

wideload · #12 11-29-2011, 06:21 PM

By the way, I'm an American and I was wondering... What do you do with so much vacation time? Do you travel? Work on projects around the house? Sleep in? I take a week off, and I'm more than ready to get back to the office. But I enjoy what I do, so that helps.

Pilgrim · #13 11-29-2011, 06:25 PM

Never. I would not lie for a gig.

I'd schedule outside of work hours or take annual leave as needed - no other option is ethical.

Jinro · #14 11-29-2011, 06:26 PM

Quote:

American workers surely are treated like slaves compared to any other Western country.

You should see Korea and Japan. Absolutely insane.

BassBob1 · #15 11-29-2011, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jinro

You should see Korea and Japan. Absolutely insane.

That would be the eastern hemisphere

Papa Dangerous · #16 11-29-2011, 06:41 PM

I would tell my boss I have a gig and see if I can take off. But than again I work in a music store so that behavior is almost expected. Someone took off for like a few weeks because they wanted to tour and it was approved, sorta.

electracoyote · #17 11-29-2011, 06:44 PM

I've done it. It was a really important gig (to me anyway, when I was 19 years old they were all important).

I told my boss I needed an evening off, and begged him to help me find a replacement. I asked co-workers, no one offered to help.

So I called personnel the afternoon of the gig and said I was sick.

Somehow, I actually kept my job after that.

sandmangeck · #18 11-29-2011, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazz Ad

You mean health care like I get for free since I was born or paid vacation of which I get 7 1/2 weeks?

By Free you mean some copays, and taxes right? Similar to our medicaid and medicare.
I'll be taking my 6th paid vacation in a couple of weeks for this year.
I work 3.5 days a week.
Carry on.

Munjibunga · #19 11-30-2011, 01:52 AM

Nope. I'd just say, "Hey boss, I need to take Friday off. OK?" He'd say, "Have you got all your work done?" (an impossibility). And I'd say "Sure!" Then I'd take Friday off.

sonic assassin · #20 11-30-2011, 02:26 AM

ive done it before. i was pretty non important to the place. manager was cool about it. asked if i wanted to come in the next day instead. i did.

new store, more responsibility, now full time... i'd REALLY be pushing it. luckily, i switch with people when they need it because i have nothing better to do and everyone thinks they owe me one.