One way or another, I always end up taking it. I'd honestly rather I didn't, but things happen. Miscarriages, bike accidents, morning sickness... they're the legit ones.

I have chucked the odd sickie in my life, but here's the kicker - only when I worked in sausage factory type jobs where I felt like I was being squeezed to get every available drop out of me and getting nothing in return. Last year I did it in the early part of the year because I'd been asked to take work home (and I don't earn the kind of money that makes this worth it) So I figured they could compensate me for it. At the same job, I would also push out legitimate sick leave by an extra day or two just go get a day off to make appts, because time off at this job was near impossible.

Meanwhile, in quality jobs where my whole person is nurtured and looked after and I function as part of a quality team... I'd never dream of it. At my current job, they often call me on a sick day, and order me to take the next day off as well! They really value having healthy and well rested staff. And it pays off.