Do You Get Sick Leave?
After my post last week about the importance of staying at home if you're ill, one of my readers pointed out to me that he can't take sick days because he doesn't actually get any.
I did a little digging and found out that, in fact, something like 40 percent of the private-sector workforce in the U.S. is unable to take paid leave without notifying their employer in advance. Of those who do get sick leave, some are punished for taking it by receiving "demerit points" every time they miss a day. Accumulation of a certain number of points could result in termination in some companies.
Workers earning wages on the lower end of the scale tend to be the most affected – they have to choose between staying at home and not spreading germs, or coming into work even if they're contagious so they can make this month's rent, pay for groceries, or even keep their job.
But temp workers and independent contractors, including those working in the IT field, are also affected, as employers are not obligated to offer sick days or other benefits to those workers either.
I'm curious: How many of you who are working in the technology field are not entitled to paid sick leave? And of those of you who are able to take time off due to illness, are you discouraged from doing so?
It’s worse than you think…
My husband was employed for a computer services firm in Greater Indianapolis. Sick leave was actively discouraged. Vacation leave was even more frowned upon with a requirement that no time off was permitted without 30 days advance notice. That’s the official statement.
Unofficially, an employee broke his ankle and required surgery. He was fired while still wearing the cast. Employees were reprimanded for having to leave work when the schools ordered sick children to return home. My husband was branded as disloyal by his direct supervisor for taking lunch. He was told that they expected more dedication in their employees.
i had a stroke on monday and was fired on wed. because i had no more sick days. insurance was also denied.
I feel for these workers. But Employers ofer benefits to attrach workers. If all employers have the same benefits then what incentive d oI have to change jobs or work to better myself?
As for “demerits” even withthis system of discourage ment workers still call in sick wit ha toothace, hangover, spring fever and many other false or weak excuses. i had an employee have his only mother die twice. I know of a former coworker who called in 2 out of 4 Mondays a month. Maybe employers would not be so harsh if employees did not try such thngs. How would you suggest emplyees be punished for frequent absentses? What do you call frequent absenteses? Set a standard and you are ack to a “demerit” system.
The company I work for cut my hours to 20 per week last February. Up to that point I was earning PTO on a monthly basis. That stopped in February and even though I’m now on 30 hours per week while a new project is active, as soon as that ends I’m back to 20 hours. I still don’t accumulate PTO and so I make every effort not to take time off as I won’t get paid. I don’t get paid for company holidays either.
The only good think is that they’re still covering my health care benefits.