Communicating, Not Texting
The United States Postal Service has always been a company based on communication. Whether it was the common letter, magazine, or catalog. As years have gone by, the computer, and fax machine became part of the postal life. From emailing, faxing over orders for supplies, such as stamps and mailing envelopes, to online customer service, communication has expanded to become an essential key in the daily operation.
And then came texting!
Postal Communications has now expanded to include texting through the use of the MDD (hand-held scanner). Unless it is job related and done through the use of the MDD that has been issued to you, save all other texting for your personal use.
Texting has now become a major form of personal communication. Texting is personable, and can easily be taken out of context. Texting can make the communication in question seem less important and more trivial.
So tell me why anyone would think Texting in Sick would be acceptable. Since when has that become company policy. Like work ethics, this form of communication has also gone down the drain. Most employers i.e., the United States Postal Service, require that workers make an actual old fashioned phone call if they need to miss work because they are sick. Believe it or not, it can be performed with the same tool, the cell phone. Unless employees wish to risk a host of problems, make the call. Failing to do so can mean serious consequences. When a company is paying you to do a job, they can expect a little human contact. Even if some Management has allowed you to call them on their cell phones, it is neither professional nor acceptable. Don’t do it!
When an employee calls in sick, or even late, they should be calling in on the office telephone, not texting in on a supervisor’s or other employee’s personal cell phone. Their number should not even be used. Suppose they are not in earshot of their telephone. What happens then? When will that message be received? Remember, calling in should not be done via text message. Make sure you talk to a live person (Supervisor).
New employees should make it their business to know company policies. Those who want to keep their jobs might want to read or ask company policy or guidelines when accepting the job. If you want to protect your livelihood, then it makes sense to know, understand, and remember company policies.
So, if you want to call in sick, then you should CALL in Sick!
