16/10/2025
Truth or Consequence?
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17EJieRDq4/
𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗘𝗠𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗬𝗘𝗘𝗦 𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗟𝗬𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗔𝗕𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗜𝗥 "𝗦𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗩𝗘" 𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗦. 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗗𝗢 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗗𝗢?
One of the hardest dilemmas for leaders is determining whether an employee is genuinely sick or just taking advantage of a system that runs on trust. Ask for a medical certificate, and you risk being labeled as a leader who doesn’t trust. But if you don’t, you open the door for abuse and inconsistency. The real challenge is not just managing attendance—it’s managing trust and empathy while still maintaining accountability. Here are a few leadership tips.
✅ 𝗧𝗶𝗽 𝟭: 𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗿, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
W͟h͟a͟t͟ ͟t͟o͟ ͟s͟a͟y͟: “I completely understand that everyone needs rest and space, but what concerns me here is honesty. Sick leaves exist to protect health, not to excuse vacations. The next time you get sick for real, how do you expect me to believe?”
W͟h͟y͟ ͟t͟h͟i͟s͟ ͟w͟o͟r͟k͟s͟: You’re separating the person from the action. The goal isn’t to shame the employee — it’s to reinforce that trust is earned through integrity. By speaking calmly and focusing on the principle (honesty), you prevent defensiveness and preserve authority.
✅ 𝗧𝗶𝗽 𝟮: 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀
W͟h͟a͟t͟ ͟t͟o͟ ͟d͟o͟: Implement a transparent leave policy — one that automatically flags patterns and requires post-leave check-ins or documentation for recurring cases. Do you require a med cert for 1-day leave? or 3 days? Most companies let go of 1-day SL's but what happens when the 1-day SL's become a Monday staple? Some companies impose a rule of 3-consecutive Monday or 3-consecutive-Friday SL strikes, for example.
W͟h͟y͟ ͟t͟h͟i͟s͟ ͟w͟o͟r͟k͟s͟:͟ Systems depersonalize the issue. You’re not distrusting anyone; you’re managing consistency and you're applying it fairly to EVERYONE. Clear, automated rules prevent accusations of bias and let data do the discipline for you.
✅ 𝗧𝗶𝗽 𝟯: 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗮 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘀
W͟h͟a͟t͟ ͟t͟o͟ ͟d͟o͟:͟ Recognize employees who follow the rules — those who plan leaves properly, report transparently, and support the team during absences. Offer flexibility or small privileges for those with consistent honesty. Role modeling is important!
W͟h͟y͟ ͟t͟h͟i͟s͟ ͟w͟o͟r͟k͟s͟: Positive reinforcement makes truth a norm, not a risk. When people see that honesty is rewarded — not punished — they’re more likely to come forward sincerely rather than lie out of fear.
Good luck! Remember, "HOW" you say it is as important as "WHAT" you say during the confrontation.