THE EDITOR Sir:IN HIS letter published on February 6, Professor Lawson Douglas poses the question, 'Should a medical doctor's signed statement ... be trusted and accepted? The professor is obviously indignant that a lowly supervisor could be audacious enough to question the veracity of his prognosis.
As a HR practitioner, I have
been in situations where I have
had to also question the
veracity of medical doctors'
certificates, purely from a common sense perspective. When an employee tells a supervisor that if he doesn't sign his application for vacation leave, then he will have to sign his sick leave, and within 24 hours he presents a sick certificate for 10 days signed by a 'reputable' medical doctor, should that be questioned?
When an employee, while on vacation overseas, is able to extend her vacation leave by submitting a 10-day sick certificate signed and stamped by a 'reputable' local medical doctor, should that be questioned? When an employee presents a 15-day sick certificate for 'lumbar
myalgia', and is subsequently seen driving his taxi during the busy Christmas period, should that be questioned?
It is perhaps time that the
medical council take a serious look into these matters. Not only is the reputation of honest doctors being sullied by the actions of their colleagues, but also, many companies in Jamaica are suffering from low productivity coupled with high absenteeism due mainly to the abuse of a generous sick leave
policy, aided and abetted by medical doctors.
Many other HR practitioners can relate to these issues and, no doubt, based on Professor Douglas' experience, professionals from other sectors are also having issues with certificates/documents signed by doctors and other persons, who used to belong to 'trusted' professions allowed to vouch for people.
Professor Douglas, sir, if medical documents are no longer 'sacrosanct', the blame should be laid squarely at the feet of your colleagues.
I hope this has helped to answer your question.
I am, etc.,
ALLISON DREYFUSS
Human resource manager
allifuss@yahoo.com.
