I (22) am an auto body detailer at a small body shop. Recently we just lost one of our two body technicians and, because of the nature of the industry, most of the bodymen out there aren’t looking for new jobs and are very close to retirement age.
My boss, who is a great guy that ensures his employees are compensated pretty well (buys everyone lunch every Friday, Christmas bonuses, very thankful, etc), is now struggling to keep the lights on considering we have a lot filled with 15+ jobs and one body technician who is expected to do all the work; which is impossible.
As a detailer, I’m supposed to do quality control on cars as they are finished. Obviously, since cars aren’t getting finished, I don’t really have anything to do. Since our other body tech quit last week, the shop’s painter and I have been sweeping the shop and raking leaves on the property for 8 hours a day.
I’m salaried, meaning I get paid the same regardless of how much I work. Do you guys think it’s morally wrong for me to take a few “sick” days, just because I actually have nothing to do at my job? One might see it as taking advantage of my boss, but I also really just don’t know how to occupy 8 hours of my work day other than sweeping the same area over and over again and standing there on my phone occasionally – hence why I’m considering taking a day or two off.
Curious what you guys think?
Cheers!