Dear Cindy – Summer Syndrome

Ever since summer started, my employees have had a lot more "doctor's appointments" and "sick days" than usual. I suspect that many of them are actually going to the beach or something. How can I let them know that this behavior is unacceptable without accusing anyone outright?

Sincerely,

Boss of the MIAs

There's not much you can do unless you catch the person in the act. You can institute a no-tolerance policy demanding a doctor's note for appointments or illnesses, or appeal to people's good natures (e.g., how much everyone suffers when someone fakes an illness), or try some preventive measures. Such as, you ask? A former employer used to give everyone one free day off each month from June to September. I don't recall any suspicious absences when she did that.

And for other workplace "syndromes" see: