Tell me about it. I just had a guy on my crew come back from 6 weeks of paternity leave.
Frankly, I encouraged him to take some time. "New First Time Dad" is something that you don't get a second chance at, ever. Some things are more important than work. And, he had the time, saved everything up that he could, and so forth, so he had most certainly earned it. That, and the fact that he's my top guy, merits a lot of slack.
But that didn't make re-arranging schedules, plus me working double-time to cover for him (especially over Thanksgiving and XMas), any easier.
I see the opportunity for rampant abuse in this program, and I deal with white collar workers, who are generally "Type A" overachievers. Further down the ladder .... forgetaboutit.
I have a friend who is currently picking up slack for a forth maternity leave in 5 years (two different employees). She often jokes that she’s trying to find out what it would take for her to be diagnosed with a mental illness that would allow 6-12 weeks of leave. She’d never do it, but if a high level, honest worker has thought of it, the ne’er-do-well’s certainly have.
Sick leave is already abused. Ever work with someone who has Monday/Friday disease?