All articles tagged with #absenteeism
Unpaid air traffic controllers are working long hours during the government shutdown, which could lead to increased absenteeism and impact air travel safety, reminiscent of the 2018-2019 shutdown. The workforce is critically understaffed, and the stress and uncertainty may affect their mental health and job performance, potentially influencing the shutdown's resolution.
Boston city councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson, known for advocating for more accountability for public officials, has the worst absence record among city lawmakers, with seven absences at regular weekly City Council meetings since taking office in January 2022. This is despite her emphasis on establishing clear metrics to assess the performance of councilors. She has missed multiple votes related to public safety, including those concerning police department grants and contracts.
Fairhope West Elementary School in Alabama closed through Friday due to a gastrointestinal outbreak, with nearly 800 students absent on Wednesday. State health officials are investigating the incident, which has led to symptoms including vomiting and nausea. The school will undergo deep cleaning, and specimen collection materials have been provided for testing. The outbreak has also affected Fairhope East Elementary to a lesser extent.
Millions of Americans are expected to experience the "Super Bowl Flu" on Monday following late-night festivities, with an estimated 16 million predicted to call in sick. Advocates are renewing their push for a national holiday on the day after the Super Bowl, citing the widespread impact on the workforce and students. Economic repercussions from absenteeism and decreased productivity are significant, with recent estimates pegging losses at approximately six billion dollars. This year's phenomenon may reach unprecedented levels, fueled by the fervor of "Taylormania" as Taylor Swift is set to grace the event.
Fairborn High School in Ohio will be closed on Friday due to a major flu outbreak, with nearly a third of the students absent and 20 staff members also affected. Some students have tested positive for Covid-19 as well. The school district superintendent recommended that parents monitor their children and seek appropriate medical attention if necessary. The school plans to sanitize all surfaces over the weekend and aims to reopen on Monday. This closure only affects Fairborn High School, while other schools in the district will operate as normal.
Two-thirds of schools in the United States are grappling with high levels of chronic absenteeism, with no signs of significant improvement in the coming year, according to a report. Prior to the pandemic, 25% of schools experienced high levels of absenteeism, but that number more than doubled to 66% during the first year of full in-person learning. The surge in absenteeism has serious implications for teaching and learning, as teachers struggle to help students catch up on missed lessons while keeping others on track. The spike in absenteeism is also linked to drops in student test scores. The reasons for high absenteeism are complex and include factors such as students finding jobs during the pandemic, mental health issues, and the loss of parents or grandparents due to COVID-19. Experts emphasize the need for a systemic approach and root cause analysis to address the problem.
Des Moines City Councilmember Indira Sheumaker is facing pressure from neighbors to either resign or face legal action after not attending a council meeting since March 6. Sheumaker has not communicated with city officials or neighborhood leaders, who are frustrated by her absence. Despite missing 17 meetings, she continues to receive her salary and benefits. Neighbors have organized a petition calling for her resignation, but there is no law to force her to step down.
Cinzia Paolina De Lio, a teacher in Italy, has been fired after being absent for 20 out of the 24 years she was on the payroll. Students complained about her lack of teaching skills, including making up lessons, borrowing textbooks, and marking tests randomly. De Lio used sick leave, vacation time, and family matters as excuses to avoid work, while also gaining qualifications in pet therapy and criminology. The top court confirmed her dismissal, describing her as "permanently and absolutely unsuitable" for the job. De Lio claims to have evidence to prove her innocence but is currently at the beach.
An Italian teacher who was dismissed after being absent for 20 out of 24 years of service has vowed to defend herself and reconstruct the truth of her story. Cinzia Paolina De Lio, a secondary school teacher specializing in history and philosophy, was initially reinstated in 2018 but had her dismissal confirmed by Italy's highest court. The court cited her absences as evidence of "permanent and absolute ineptitude." De Lio claims to have documents to refute the claim and has condemned the ruling, stating that she will not answer questions from journalists. The education ministry has pledged to ensure teaching is carried out with professionalism.
Yoshikazu Higashitani, a YouTuber-turned-lawmaker, has been expelled from Japan's upper house for continuous absence from parliamentary sessions since being elected last year. He received almost 300,000 votes in his campaign for the Diet, Japan's parliament, as a member of a single-issue party that advocates reforms to NHK, the Japanese public broadcaster. He had been living in the United Arab Emirates even before the election and has not returned to Japan since, citing concerns he might be detained by police investigating defamation complaints stemming from the celebrity gossip that propelled him to YouTube stardom.