Wondering not necessary... and no emails required, either.
Emails leave a trail.
If someone was deemed to be 'gaming the system' I can fully appreciate a chief pilots stance whereby...a couple of PC checks would then be failed, then dismissal is right around the corner.
I've seen it happen, in the past.
For the possible 'gamers' in the crowd...when you knocked on the HR door, you asked for work, and if work was provided, a reasonable salary was offered.
You then either said yes or no.
Note...work for salary.
I don't think the HR department intended for no work, but pay anyway.
Illness is one thing...maternity leave 'gaming' quite another.