Across the globe that is exactly what they are doing in Malaysia. Malaysians are apparently infamous for abusing their sick days. Due to a new technology and a new law put in place, the ability for Malaysians to obtain their sick leave will no longer be easy. I would say not being easy is an understatement. To manage their employees sick leave, the government will be using a USB device that detects antibodies and cortisol in their saliva to confirm that they are sick. The USB is called SickVerify and it has already started emerging in businesses since August.
The USB SickVerify uses a saliva sample to to determine if the person was really sick during the time period they claimed to be sick. To use the USB a person takes a small piece of cottonwool and adds their saliva. It is inserted into a laptop/computer through the USB port and in just 3 minutes the results are displayed.
My thoughts are how long before the United States starts using this device in their workforce or even in schools to deter employees and students from skipping school or work. As James brought up in class today, just another tool to help big brother watch you or is it for the benefit of the workforce to decrease false sick days and increase productivity.
http://medgadget.com/2011/04/usb_device_helps_manage_employee_sick_leave.html
