Sickout: meaning, definitions and examples

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sickout

 

[ sɪk.aʊt ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

workplace action

A 'sickout' refers to a form of protest where employees collectively decide to call in sick to work, thereby demonstrating dissatisfaction with their working conditions or management. This type of action aims to disrupt normal business operations and draw attention to specific grievances without resorting to more confrontational tactics like strikes. Sickouts can serve as a tactical measure to leverage negotiations or indicate solidarity among workers. It is often utilized in industries where physical presence is essential, making it a powerful tool for workers.

Synonyms

collective absence, sick day protest, work stoppage.

Examples of usage

  • The teachers organized a sickout to protest low salaries.
  • During the sickout, many employees called in sick to show their dissatisfaction.
  • The recent sickout caught the management off guard.
  • Workers in the factory decided on a sickout to highlight safety concerns.

Translations

Translations of the word "sickout" in other languages:

🇵🇹 falta doente

🇮🇳 बीमार छुट्टी

🇩🇪 Krankheitsausfall

🇮🇩 libur sakit

🇺🇦 лікарняний

🇵🇱 nieobecność z powodu choroby

🇯🇵 病気による欠勤

🇫🇷 absence maladie

🇪🇸 ausencia por enfermedad

🇹🇷 hasta izni

🇰🇷 병가

🇸🇦 إجازة مرضية

🇨🇿 nemocenská

🇸🇰 nemocenská

🇨🇳 病假

🇸🇮 bolniška odsotnost

🇮🇸 veikindis veikja

🇰🇿 ауырғандықтан бос уақыт

🇬🇪 ავადმყოფობის შვებულება

🇦🇿 xəstəlik səbəbindən icazə

🇲🇽 ausencia por enfermedad

Etymology

The term 'sickout' originated in the labor movement in the mid-20th century, as workers sought new methods to express their grievances against employers without jeopardizing their job security. The strategy emerged as a subtle, non-confrontational way to voice dissent by leveraging the concept of illness to justify absence. Over the years, the use of sickouts has been documented worldwide, particularly in labor disputes where workers aim to make a statement regarding working conditions, wages, or benefits. Its effectiveness is often contingent on the level of solidarity among workers and the impact the absence has on business operations. The term is derived from the combination of 'sick,' referring to illness, and 'out,' indicating absence from the workplace.