How To Avoid the Traps of "Excessive Absenteeism"

If you don't have the phone number(s) for the Terminal, Garage or Shop manager's office, stop reading this article now. Find it, write it down and put it in your contacts list (paper and digital).

Here is a list of all the Terminals and Garages. If you work in the Shops, just call one of those numbers and ask for the number to the specific Shop.

If you suspect you will be late, call the manager's office. If you indeed are late because CTA bus or train delays, ask for a Train Delay Slip from a Customer Service Assistant. However, make sure you get the head car number and run number of the train. 

Please make copies of all documentation! 

There is a 50% chance it will never be properly recorded and you will have nothing to back up your absence. 

The way the CTA saves lots of money is by hiring new workers and firing currently employed workers. So building up a paper trail of hits—and using psychological warfare to demoralize us—is standard operating procedure.

Also, is better to be early. Sometimes 15-30 minutes. 

If you are sick or injured (two different categories), follow the CTA guidelines to the letter! They love to burn us on not following it.

Utilize your Family Medical Leave Act privileges. You and/or someone you care for has physical or mental health needs that a doctor understands. Obtain an "Intermittent Leave" paperwork from Sedgwick and bring it to the doctor. 

Sedgwick Service Center Number: 844-CTA-7038 (0700-2030 Monday-Friday) Sedgwick Online: mysedgwick.com/CTA (registration is ridiculously long and does not work well with Firefox). Using the website seems to be the best method.

When you need to take care of those needs, you use your FMLA to not be at work without fear of punishment. 

What tips do you have to avoid the traps? Share in the comments.