Those who heed a call by boycotters to skip work for one day next month could face consequences from employers.

        Boycott organizers want those who sympathize with their cause to “Take a Sick Day of Racism off Work” on April 5.

        The sick day is one of three events scheduled around the one-year anniversary of the death of 19-year-old Timothy Thomas, a police shooting that triggered race riots.

        Jim Vose, a member of the board of directors of the Greater Cincinnati Human Resource Association, doubted that many employers will be willing to look the other way if an employee stays home April 5.

        “Most employers will look and say we support equal and fair treatment to all employees,” he said. “I don't believe employers will allow employees to take that day off.”

        Many employers don't expect a widespread employee sick-out. Yet, even small numbers of absent employees could cause disruption.

        “It obviously wouldn't be good,” said Gary Wachs, general manager of Garfield Suites Hotel downtown. “I don't think our staff would do that.”

        Nevertheless, Mr. Wachs said companies need to do a better job of explaining reforms undertaken to improve race relations.

        He plans to tell his employees about race-related reforms in a list that will accompany paychecks.

        Any of the city of Cincinnati's 6,600 employees who skip work because of the boycott could face disciplinary action, said Tim Riordan, interim city manager.

        Actual punishment would be meted case by case, depending on employment history, labor contracts and other circumstances, Mr. Riordan said.

        “We expect everyone to come into work as they normally do,” Mr. Riordan said.

        While the effect of this workers call-to-arms is difficult to determine, one element of the new strategy is undeniable, said David J. Brophy, director of the Center for Venture Capital and Private Equity Finance at University of Michigan Business School: “All of a sudden it puts the problem onto the lap of a portion of corporate America,” Dr. Brophy said.

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