Why do employers bother even pretending to give these things when they play games with using them. They use their own staffing failures to pressure you into working even if you are sick. You shouldn't need a doctors note for something simple like a cold or mental health day. Frankly who the hell cares if you use the day to catch up on chores or enjoy life? It's your day you were promised and earned. As long as you don't go bellow 0 they have to expect you to use them at some point so insufficient staffing is a moot point especially when staffing isn't your job anyways. Some companies could care less, then you have federal jobs which don't even have to respect state law on sick leave. It seems bonkers. They waste more energy gatekeeping this then just fixing the problem. rant over