LJAFT Absence Survey Results
Readers may recall receiving an email directing them to a survey conducted by the La Joya American Federation of Teachers regarding absences and the administration’s request for documentation. The survey was conducted before Christmas and LJAFT received 316 responses from 38 different worksites.
Although there were a few campuses where we received a large number of responses, for the most part it appears LJISD's campus administrations are adhering to the district's policy when it comes to requiring documentation for absences. At this point, we believe it would be best to handle complaints from our members on an individual basis. If members believe their campus administration is breaking district policy, please contact us immediately and we will work to help resolve your issue.
According to policy, the district may require written documentation regarding absences for illness when the employee has been away for more than three days. However, there is a clause in policy that allows the administration to ask for medical certification due to a questionable pattern of absences or when deemed necessary by the supervisor or Superintendent. This does not mean the adminstration can require a doctor's excuse for every absence and is clearly meant to provide a means for the district to check up on employees who they believe are absent excessively.
Absences for personal reasons must be approved ahead of time. To see the district's policy, click here.
Thanks go to all who took the time to fill out the survey and for those who added comments. Look for more issues surveys like this one as the need arises.
The survey results follow:
LJAFT Absence Survey - Tabulated Results | ||
| Have you ever been asked to provide a doctor's excuse for an absence for illness for three days or less? | ||
| Yes | 77 | 24% |
| No | 237 | 75% |
| Have you ever been asked to provide a doctor's excuse for an absence for illness in the immediate family for three days or less? | ||
| Yes | 39 | 12% |
| No | 272 | 86% |
| Have you ever been asked to provide a doctor's excuse for an absence for a family emergency for three days or less? | ||
| Yes | 27 | 9% |
| No | 281 | 89% |
| Have you ever been asked to provide a doctor's excuse for an absence for a death in your immediate family for three days or less? | ||
| Yes | 16 | 5% |
| No | 296 | 94% |
| Has your administration ever questioned you about the use of leave for illness for three days or less? | ||
| Yes | 74 | 23% |
| No | 239 | 76% |
| Have you been written up for excessive absences for missing three or less days due to illness? | ||
| Yes | 26 | 8% |
| No | 286 | 91% |