sickout

American  

[sik-out] / ˈsɪkˌaʊt /

noun

1. an organized absence from work by employees on the pretext of sickness, as to avoid the legal problems or antistrike clauses that would be invoked in the case of a formal strike.

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Etymology

Origin of sickout

1950–55; probably sick ¹ + (walk)out

Example Sentences

If the “sickout” continued, union penalties could have included daily fines of up to $50,000 for the organization and $1,000 per day for union officers, as well as jail time, suspension or termination for strike participants.

From Seattle Times

On Nov. 10, the team executed a one-day sickout.

From Washington Post

While the Senate bill died without much fanfare, the failure of HB 1806, the House version, to survive past a key deadline ignited a revolt among Democratic staffers, dozens of whom staged a sickout Feb. 16 in protest.

From Seattle Times

One current House Democratic staffer participating in the sickout described working nearly 20 hours of overtime each week since November.

From Seattle Times

Jinkins was supportive of the staffers’ sickout, she said, since they don’t have the ability to lobby and other ways to express their thoughts.

From Seattle Times