I (24M) was fired today.
I am a student, but also work part time for the government and a shoe store. Today I called in sick from my government job because I was nauseous and throwing up all morning. By the afternoon, I felt well enough to leave the house and I went to the shoe store to pick up my paycheck. My tuition was due today and I needed money. While I was at the store (a matter of minutes) my boss from the government job comes in. (Not to buy shoes, obviously). He said “what are you doing here if you're sick?” I told him I was only getting my paycheck so I could have some money in my pocket for food, gas, etc. Without hesitation, he asked for my work keys, credit cards, etc. He said “this ain't gonna fly. You're done”. He went out of his way to come to my shoe store across town, just to see if I was there instead of at work.
Was he in the wrong or was I? Should I do something about this or forget about it? Am I not entitled to do as I please when I call in?
I can't be the only person on the planet who calls in sick and feels better later in the day, or even calls in and isn't sick. What I do outside of work is my business. Also note, I was not getting paid leave for my absence. It was unpaid leave.
Edit: this was my first time calling in over the 6 months I have worked. I live in the US.
Edit 2: I puked (vomited, barfed) multiples times today, have body aches, fever and muscle pain. I took some water with alka seltzer then went to get my paycheck so I could have some money for the week and use some of it to pay my tuition. I have less than $100 in my bank account so it was basically get that check or have my classes canceled for missing a payment.