Sick Leave

sick leave

noun
Definition:

absence due to illness: absence from work for reasons of illness

reference: http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_/sick%20leave.html

* the intrepretation of this term is changing in modern society especially in" office " culture.
when your colleague is on sick leave, which mean
(1) she/he like committed a serious crime and in a great escape.
(2) irresponsible person ie. somebody who behaves irresponsibly (cos she cant be reach by mobile phone, but doesnt know that her phone maybe out of battery, or in fact her/his body is so weak to pick up any call or she/he might caught in the car accident or etc ?)
(3) must be having a job interview

shall we think in another "humane" way:
sick leave means:
(1) it is a sign that your colleague 's physically status is getting worse due to overload of work.
( how you ever thinking to care about your colleague )
(2) she/he need some time to rest and to let their body for recovery.
(3) if the matter is not in urgent( unless sth that she/he promise to finish in prior), please leave her/him some privacy, afterall, her mobile phone is for private use, she/he pays the phone bill not the comapny. Please be considerate and keep on hold the matter until your colleague back to the office...(this case applies to pirvate mobile phone user only).

I agree that being a responsible person is the attitude that we should carry not only in the mature adult world but should start off in childhood. However, Paid Sick leave (with medical certification) -which entitled under the Labour Legistlation, is also the result of a Democratic society that everyone should respect.

Labour Legistlation:
http://www.labour.gov.hk/eng/legislat/contentA.htm

A Concise Guide to the Employment Ordinance - on sickness allowance
http://www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/ConciseGuide.htm