Is there a way to avoid inevitably having hundreds of sick days?

Currently, I have enough sick days accrued to have a day off every week for the entire school year of 2025.

And I’m only nearing the end of my third year of full-time teaching.

I know of work colleagues who have squirrelled away more than 200 sick days - the equivalent of a full academic year.

In a matter of months I will be allotted another 15 sick days. And then another the following year. And then another. And then… amass around 300 more sick days (if I stay in the public education sector) until I retire.

Of course, all these sick days are set aside in case I’m ill. And the pandemic has reminded us all that, even if you’re sick to the extent that you’d previous “power through,” now, it’s wise to stay home.

Nonetheless, I’ve only had six sick days in the last three years.

But, on average, I’ve had around 20 days (or partial days) off each year.

Between cross country, athletics and swimming carnivals, the orientation day activities I’m involved in, peer support training, end of year festivities, excursions and camps, I’m away from my classes fairly often.

So, what happens, if I took an additional dozen days above when I’m already - incidentally- out of the classroom?

In reality, I’d be out nearly the equivalent of one day per week.

More so, if I want to start knocking off the acquired sick days I’ve already built up, I’d definitely be absent regularly.

Would this be responsible?

Would this be setting a good example?

You could argue, that it is.

My work/life balance would be much better.

I’d be far better prepared.

I’d be able to strategically take time away from the classroom, at especially busy times.

But, it would come at a significant cost to my classes - especially my senior classes.

If one of my students was missing a day per week, this would be cause for a welfare concern.

So, what should I do?

Hope for a nasty dose of chronic fatigue?

Be prepared to be struck down with a nasty illness?

Of course, I’d rather not need to use my sick days legitimately.

But, racking up hundreds of sick days doesn’t seem like a wise option either…