Employee Pushes Back Against Mandatory Sick Coverage Policy
An employee working in a medical facility sought advice on how to approach their employer's strict sick policy, which required sick employees without shift coverage to show up for work regardless of the possibility of spreading their illness. The employee texted their boss, expressing concerns and stating that further discussion would not be productive. The boss responded that ceasing the conversation would be considered a resignation. However, under most circumstances, an employer cannot claim resignation if an employee simply inquires about a policy. It is possible for the worker to argue "constructive termination" if the employer creates an untenable work environment by exposing them to illness and threatening their job for voicing concerns.