A B737 PLT IS UNABLE TO CALL IN SICK DUE TO FINANCIAL REASONS AS A RESULT OF COMPANY POLICY.

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FLYING WHILE SICK. DON'T KNOW OF ANY SPECIFIC VIOLATION DURING FLT; BUT DID MISS SEVERAL CHKLIST ITEMS AND RADIO CALLS DURING THE DAY. HAD FLU-LIKE SYMPTOMS THE NIGHT BEFORE THE TRIP; BUT HOPED A GOOD NIGHT'S REST WOULD ALLOW RECOVERY. FELT ONLY SOMEWHAT MARGINAL IN THE MORNING AND SEEMED STRONG AND ALERT ENOUGH TO FLY AND DID NOT WANT TO SUFFER THE $508 PAY LOSS THAT CALLING IN SICK WOULD CAUSE. OUR COMPANY HAS ADOPTED A SICK POLICY THAT INTIMIDATES AND SEVERELY PUNISHES PLTS FOR CALLING IN SICK. THIS GREATLY AFFECTS YOUR DECISION TO FLY OR NOT FLY WHEN NOT CLRLY ILL (VOMITING; BROKEN BONES; ETC). I BELIEVE IT REMOVES A VERY IMPORTANT SAFETY BARRIER. THE POLICY IS NO DIFFERENT; AS IT RELATES TO SAFETY IN THE COCKPIT; THAN REMOVING A GEAR WARNING HORN FROM THE LNDG GEAR SYS. NO ONE WILL INTENTIONALLY LAND WITH GEAR UP; BUT WITH HUMAN NATURE AS IT IS THE LIGHTS; BELLS; AND CREW CONFIRMATIONAL CALLOUTS ARE NECESSARY. I BELIEVE THE ABILITY TO CALL IN SICK WITHOUT FEAR AND INTIMIDATION ON THOSE FEW DAYS A YR A PLT IS UNDER THE WX IS JUST AS MUCH AN ACCIDENT PREVENTION ACTION AS ANY OTHER AVIATION HUMAN OR MECHANICAL SYS.