An employer should practice emotional intelligence when determining whether or not an employee is taking advantage of the absenteeism policy. If an employee just calls in every week, than there is an issue that needs to be looked at. Maybe offer the employee short term disability to take time off and get the help they need in order to return to work and work properly. If the employee has a doctor note every time, that doesn't mean that they are or aren't taking advantage of the policy. Some people get sicker more often than others. It is very important to speak with the employee to see if you can help them in any way. When I was a teenager, I would call in to Mc Donald's (my first job) and just drive around instead of working. I was so naive that I thought I could get away with it. I live in a small town and everyone knew my car because it was unique for a teenager to drive. Then when I was grounded, I would have to drive my dad's car that was also unique for a teenager to drive. Double whammy. I had a black 1989 Mercedes-Benz 190E