I’m worried my manager is about to chuck a post-Grand Final sickie

Dear Aunty,

It’s AFL Grand Final day down here on Saturday in Melbourne. I couldn’t care less about footy, but one of my managers is a mad keen Hawthorn supporter and to say he is excited doesn’t quite cut it.

During the year, he takes holidays to visit Perth and Adelaide and Tasmania to follow the team. On Saturday, he’s got some special package deal that gets him into a boozy breakfast, a boozy lunch and the game.

If his team loses, if his team wins, he’s almost certain to call in sick. But everyone will know it won’t be a real sick day and that’s not a precedent I like.

Aunty, what’s my game plan?

Drop Kick

Richmond

Dear Drop Kick,

They play footy in Perth and Adelaide? Since when?

Just kidding! But you will know Aunty B loves sport about as much as she loves board meetings.

While I wouldn’t cross the street to watch a game of footy, I gather it can send some people barking mad, as it apparently has done with your manager.

You’re right; you don’t want to encourage sickies.  But look, this is relatively simple.

Call him into your office, wish him good luck for the weekend and suggest firmly that he should take a day of annual leave on Monday, whatever the result.

I’m sure he’ll agree and the two of you can make it known to the rest of the team that he’s taking a planned day off on Monday.

And by the way, I reckon they’ve got it sorted in Sydney – they give everyone a day off after the NRL Grand Final on Sunday night.

Be smart,

Your Aunty B

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