Alwayz,
I know that guys on long term sickness are well looked after, even some that lost their licence. All credit to EK for that.
However, fact is that people were denied a 777 transition due to "attendance", and that sick notes from doc's were not considered. It was a pure nr of days. And trust me, it wasn't many.
It was that specific fleet's decision to apply that random non existing rule.
Result now is that some people are worried about calling sick because they fear that non existing rule might be applied again.
There is no issue with calling sick.
If you're sick you don't fly, indeed simple.
However, it was shown that it might be held against you in a later stage if and when they see fit.
It doesn't hold me back from calling sick when needed, but it does for some people for whatever, good or bad, reason.
That's all.