In the 2013 case of Telus Communications Inc. and Telecommunications Workers Union, a service technician who was employed by Telus called in sick to work one day. This employee had previously requested the day off to play in a softball tournament, but his request was denied because there were no other technicians available to complete the work schedule. When the employee called in sick, his manager became suspicious and went to the softball tournament's location and saw the technician playing in the baseball game. When questioned, the employee admitted to playing in the game but claimed that the night before, he had had a severe case of stomach flu that prevented him from working, but which was manageable on the softball field. Telus fired the employee for cause and the employee took the matter to court.

1. Do you think that employers/managers should be allowed to check up on employees who call in to work sick? Why or why not?
2. Do you think that Telus had just cause to fire the employee? Explain your response.
3. What do you think was the outcome of this case? Provide reasons to support your answer.

Actual decision

The court found that Telus had just cause to terminate the employee. The court concluded that the notion of an employee who is too sick to work yet can still pitch in a softball game defied logic and common sense and that it was unreasonable to claim that the stomach flu could be so severe as to merit missing work, yet be manageable on the softball field.

1. Do you agree with this decision? Provide reasons to support your opinion.
2. What message is this case sending to employees?