Re: People going sick.
Wippy,
Just the other day I was listening to the Post Office problems - they have lots of 'sickness' and have resorted to running a rewards scheme for people who show up for work. Turn up for work consistently over a set period and you can win a car! Oh yeah, they also pay you too!
Fortunately we're not in that situation yet but the more w@nk ideas the bosses come up with - my forthcoming favourite is the annual shovel sand from one box to another test - the more likely it is to happen.
In your situation I would do two things: run your own rewards scheme when it comes to someone needed for a nice (and not) det, friday afternoon stand down etc. Also, make it quite clear to Bloggs that if he's seen anywhere other than his room and the mess at meal times he'll be charged. Reinforce this by telling him 'duty of care' means you'll have to send people to infrequently visit him to make sure he's ok. After 14 days in the block, work will be a dream come true!