Back in my corporate days, I was a hard worker. I'd put in the hours, hit my numbers, and do right by my team.

But every now and then?

I'd call in sick when I wasn't.

Sometimes I'd be hungover. Sometimes the weather was just too nice to be stuck under fluorescent lights. And a few times, my buddy got tickets to a game, and suddenly I had a "stomach bug" that morning.

I'll even admit this. When the boss asked for proof, I'd go see my doctor and get a note. She knew exactly what I was doing. She never said a word.

So when I saw this story this week, it caught my eye. Check out this message a grocery store here in Texas, called Kroger, sent to its employees. 

Got the flu? Tough. Throwing up all night? Tough. Doctor wrote you a note saying you're contagious? Tough.

Now look, I get it. Companies are tired of folks like the younger version of me playing hooky. I understand they're pushing people to use their Leave of Absence time instead.

But here's the part that doesn't sit right with me.

What happens when you actually get sick?

Say you catch a nasty flu in February and burn through your leave. Now it's July, you've been planning a family vacation for a year, and you've got no time left because your body decided to get sick.

That's rough.

And here's the bigger problem. If folks know they can't call out without burning their vacation, they're gonna drag themselves into work sick as a dog. They'll be coughing on your lettuce, sneezing on your bread, and handling your rotisserie chicken with the flu.

I don't want that. You don't want that. And honestly, I don't think Kroger wants that either when they think it through.

I was no saint when I was younger. I abused the system. I'll own that.

But there's a big difference between a guy faking it to go fishing and a single mom who genuinely has strep throat and can't afford to lose her vacation days over it.

Doesn't feel right.

What do y'all think? Is Kroger going too far, or is this just companies finally cracking down on people like the younger me?

Enjoy your Sunday!

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