Attendance policy is not fair to all positions. They make you work sick, because if this you will get sick at work and if you miss a day you lose a step and must work 7 of your days off to earn back that step. Also vacation time is unpaid unless you want to use your PTO which is earned at a rate of 1 hr for every 40 hrs worked. Weather/storms/ bridge collapse etc. Not an excuse to be late not show up. Doctor's note, no matter what it says, will only excuse 1 shift.
They care about percentages, not people. This indifference is spread equally among all employees, hourly and salaried.
Having a life outside if work is not really possible unless you can go on under 5 hrs of sleep while working 10 or more hrs a day.