I STRONGLY disagree with your comment on Tesco's plan to stop sick pay to workers for the first three days of absence (May 17).

Far from upsetting hard-working staff, as you imply, they should surely applaud any move to stop the tide of non-workers who take time off, causing problems for the company and those employees who turn up for work.

People who have had a late night, or been over-indulging, or simply feel the need to stay in bed are losing the country millions of pounds in "sick" pay.

Unfortunately doctors find it easier to sign sick notes for people than take the time and trouble to talk them out of their anti-social ways. This would probably not work anyway.

I congratulate Tesco for its sense and foresight and I hope the trend catches on.

Heather Causnett,

Escrick Park Gardens,

Escrick, York.

Updated: 11:10 Thursday, May 20, 2004