Thanks

That was very interesting read and makes me realise how lucky I am in a small company where I can shout at my boss.
Looks like you are doing a very important job then, and that KPIs are a major problem. I would say you are actually doing a lot of tasks which should be done by management.
As to illness.
I was off with stress last year, the other programmer has had the usual lurgies, even management is off occasionally. We all get ill we all need time to recover, now if I had been in a large company I may have been reprimanded.
My previous job was poorly run and was very rule bound, even one day off ill required a doctors certificate - so they give me a week - stuff it I'll have it.
I have NEVER needed a certificate at my current job - even when off for 3 or 4 days, I'll help if possible over the phone, and if I feel OK but not up to the drive I'll work remotely.
Again a very interesting post