I hope I'm not too late to here some feedback on my post.
I'm one of the management people of a big box retailer.not Wal Mart. My problem is not the fact that people get sick.we all do. Although I can honestly say that in 25 years I've taken one sick day. I'm lucky with good genes I guess. It's also why my empathy level is pretty low with people that seem to get sick 2, 3, 4 or 5 times a month. I simply just can't identify with it. It really has nothing to do with sickness but rather a lack of responsibility and commitment. However, I still realize that people DO get sick and quite frankly should not be working. If people are truly sick, I have no problem with someone taking the day/days off.
Now, my question is, at what point do you think an employer should have some recourse? An employer depends on employees to do a job just as an employee depends on the employer for a paycheck. If they are not showing up for work 4 or 5 times a month (I've had employees over the years who think this is acceptable attendance), at what point do you think an employer just can't accept it anymore? My guess is that this group of employees were habitual "I don't feel well and can't come in" employees and the management staff just got feed up. Many times this can happen when the employee actually is sick but after they have called in for the 10th time in 6 months, well it's the little boy that cried wolf scenario. Have I summed things up from the employers standpoint?
I'm on your team Profit