Me: I’m not feeling well. Going to take a sick day.
Boss: Ok, feel better.
HR: You need a doctor’s note for the sick time to be approved.
Me: I just feel “blech” and need to rest.
HR: Doesn’t matter. We need a doctor’s note.
Me: [Slugs to urgent care, waits 3 hours to see a doctor]
Doctor: Just go home and rest.
Receptionist: That’ll be $35 for the co-pay.
Me: (twitch)
It’s totally legal because workers have surprisingly few rights in the US today. You can still find good companies that will treat you with dignity but it’s not because they’re required to.