I might take some "extra" days off to be with my family (they are more important than work) but if you compare my sickness level to the previous ops directors sickness level you will find he has had more time off than moi.
As for when I first heard it, was on 5 October when the notice was issued. Oh, I was on a day off but I did have a sick day immediately after that because I was told if I work 6 days I will get 3 days off and as I was only rostered 2 I took an extra day.
I think that was only reasonable as I have given up a week and a halfs holiday at the request of the old ops director.