LONG TIME EMPLOYEE SLACKING OFF!!!

By Dan Miller
February 15, 2008

Something seemed odd here at the TV station for one day this week.

First, let me say, I've known Terry Tichenor since I first came to Nashville and Channel 4 in 1969.
He had started working part-time that year, and became a full time technical operator the next year.
In fact, Terry and I are the only two now working at Channel 4 who were here that long ago.

"Where's Terry?" I asked in the studio, just before our newscast began Wednesday evening.
"He called in sick today" someone said.
"Really?" I answered, "That's rare, hope he's OK."

That was on Wednesday.

On Thursday, Terry was back at work.
When he walked into the studio I asked him if everything was OK.
"Yes" he said, "that's the first time I've ever called in sick in 37 years."
"Wow!" several of us exclaimed in unison.

We quickly did a little math in our heads and realized it's actually been close to 39 years he's worked here, and had NEVER taken a sick day.
This would humble even Cal Ripken.

I had to know.... "Was it a tough decision to call in sick after having never missed a day for 39 years?"

"Nope" he said, "I didn't feel good, had a little flu-bug, and a temperature of 101 degrees."

"So how do you feel today?"
"I feel OK... better".. he said, in his understated way.

Out of sheer curiosity, I asked Terry if he'd ever missed school because of sickness when he was a student.
"Yes" he said.... "I missed three days in the first grade with chicken pox."
"How about after first grade?" I asked.

"Never missed another day" he said.
"I got 11 straight yearly perfect attendance certificates, from Glengarry Elementary, Wright Junior High, and Glencliff High School."

"So, let me get this straight... after missing three days in the first grade, you never again missed a day of school -- or a day of work for 39 years -- because of sickness, until this past Wednesday?"
"That's right" he said.

I had one more question.
"Terry, if you only feel OK today, why didn't you take off maybe one more day to get better?"

His answer, "I couldn't justify it."

Right Terry -- you certainly don't want the bosses to label you as a person who abuses the sick day policy!

Today, hats off to Terry Tichenor, the WSMV Iron Man.

___________________________________________