When I was doing shift work, I used to just call in sick if I was sick, and the supervisor called up someone else to cover. I was generally the first responder to pick up other people’s shifts, so nobody complained.

Now I have a certain number of sick days per year, and anything over that comes off holiday pay or would go onto long term disability, which would require a doctor’s note, but is significantly more serious than a sick day.

Have I been missing out on a third option all these years where a doctor can write me a note and my work is put on hold until I’m better without accruing sick leave days?