Inflating absences maligns Detroit workers - By Albert Garrett, The Detroit News
The mayor's attempts to shock and awe with extravagant numbers are disingenuous. The problem is Kilpatrick's total of 30 percent "absenteeism" includes all forms of absences: vacation time approved by city management, bereavement leave, medical and disability leaves, workers' compensation situations and the day-to-day, short-term illnesses that cause incidental use of sick leave.
Kilpatrick's tactic does a profound injustice to the dedicated and hard-working city employees.