Dear Dr. Mimi – Do You Feel Frustrated?

Dear Dr. Mimi:
I have an employee who usually reports sick about two days per month, but she is a really good worker and manages to meet her goals. Should I fire her?
—Frustrated

Dear Frustrated:
Once every 10 working days is a lot. But if she is as good as you say, keep her. Since she is saying she is sick, you might ask her to produce a doctor’s note. Having said that, I have two concerns: Are her goals challenging enough? And how do the other employees view this? It could be a morale issue—both for her and her co-workers.
—Dr. Mimi


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