You thoughts on sick days (could be career-related, but also political)

How do you feel about having a set number of sick days a year? I am one of those people that only call out sick when I am sick, but as October approaches, I have only a day or two left for the rest of the year.

Why limit the amount of sick days you can use? If you're sick, you're sick, right? I know in other countries they don't have sick days set at a limit.

How do you feel about this, as an employee or business owner?

Re: You thoughts on sick days (could be career-related, but also political)

I have unlimited sick time, so I take off when I'm sick. But I also don't take advantage of the system.
I like unlimited.

Re: You thoughts on sick days (could be career-related, but also political)

I think it is because of the people who take advantage. They screw EVERYTHING UP for the rest of us!!

Re: You thoughts on sick days (could be career-related, but also political)

While we technically only get 5 sick days each year, I know if more were needed my company wouldn't have an issue with it (it's a very small and flexible company). I am one of those people who only takes a sick day if I'm truly sick and even then most times I will still work from home. I don't understand the limitations on sick days, especially when a company encourages employees to stay home when sick, so as not to get others in the office sick. When I had the flu last year I worked from home and just didn't come into the office because I didn't want anyone else getting it so no sick days were used, but if I had used them it would have eaten all 5 of them. I like the idea of unlimited days, but I know there are people who would abuse it. I don't think I would offer unlimited if I were a business owner.

Re: You thoughts on sick days (could be career-related, but also political)

Hard topic

If you say you get 5/10 a year then some people think they deserve all hose days sick or not

If you say unlimited then you have folks calling out for every sniffle

They are very flexible here but if they suspect somethings up they do reserve the right to ask for a doctors not after 5 missed days in a row

Re: You thoughts on sick days (could be career-related, but also political)

I get unlimited. I almost always work from home when I'm sick so I never put in for those days.

I've only taken sick days when I truly cannot function.

What I don't get is when I'm not there I truly have no back up and stuff doesn't get done. So what I'm trying to say is that unless I'm totally indisposed, I don't take sick days.

I like the idea of PTO. Why make liars out of people?

Re: You thoughts on sick days (could be career-related, but also political)

my company has it 2 ways. some have unlimited sick days like me and others have a PTO bank of days.

The PTO (paid time off) bank of days encompasses sick and vacation time. you can have up to 5 instances of calling out per year but each could be more than one day if need be.. but then you are also stealing from your vacation time if you go overboard.

I have the unlimited so my vacation time comes from a vacation time bank... and the sick days just are unlimited (still have the 5 instances per year).

Re: You thoughts on sick days (could be career-related, but also political)

I get 20 a year (on top of my vacation time) and they accumulate year by year =)))

I don't take advantage though... But I also work alone, so I'm not screwing anyone over when I'm out.

Re: You thoughts on sick days (could be career-related, but also political)

Re: You thoughts on sick days (could be career-related, but also political)

We have 6 sick days a year. I don't think unlimited sick is necessary if you have a disability policy. We have STD (10 days & over) & LTD (anything over 90 days).

Re: You thoughts on sick days (could be career-related, but also political)

I think unlimited would benefit all involved:
1) employees could call out when their sick without reprecussion
2) employers would not lose productivity because people would not come in sick to work and make other people sick. employers can either have 1-2 people out with unlimited sick time or have 10-15 with limited sick time. Besides how well do you perform when you are sick anyway?

Re: You thoughts on sick days (could be career-related, but also political)

We have 5 days PTO - can be used for sick days or other personal needs. We also are encouraged to use them for Jury Duty since our company does not pay beyond the mandatory minimum. I've used my PTO for a seminar I wanted to see, to meet up with a friend that was in town from Texas that I hadn't seen in 6 years as well as legitimate sick days. Knowing what I know about fellow employees I highly suspect there would be additional "mental health days" beyond the 5 we have now, in addition to sniping behind peoples backs if it was percieved that someone was taking advantage of the situation.

Re: You thoughts on sick days (could be career-related, but also political)

I have unlimited sick days - in 6.25 years I have taken maybe 6 days because I generally don't call sick unless i have a fever or can't get out of bed (3 during my pregnancy this past year).

I think people with unlimited sick days feel guilty about any day they take.

Re: You thoughts on sick days (could be career-related, but also political)

I have unlimited sick days - in 6.25 years I have taken maybe 6 days because I generally don't call sick unless i have a fever or can't get out of bed (3 during my pregnancy this past year).

I think people with unlimited sick days feel guilty about any day they take.

Re: You thoughts on sick days (could be career-related, but also political)

I teach in NYC and we get 10 a year and we have to "earn" them

The mayor wants us to have only 5!

I take them when I am sick. I have taken them in emergency situations as well.

Re: You thoughts on sick days (could be career-related, but also political)

I get 14 sick days a year and they carry over each year. Since I have been at my school, I have not used any days. Additionally, we have a sick bank, so if god forbid I became ill, I could use those days.

Re: You thoughts on sick days (could be career-related, but also political)

Never really thought about it that much... but we get 6 sick days for the year and 2 personal...

Unfortunately too many people abuse these things... and i agree with having limitations...

Re: You thoughts on sick days (could be career-related, but also political)

I have unlimited but my boss likes to pretend I don't have any. I HARDLY ever call in sick. if I'm sick, I'm really sick. but since others have abused it in the past my boss tends to think we play hookie. I try to get a dr's note when ever possible just to prove to him i was really sick. When he's being a total jerk and really on me about it or its a monday or friday I usually try to go to the dr JUST to make sure i get a note, even if I don't really need to be seen. that's how bad he makes it.

Re: You thoughts on sick days (could be career-related, but also political)

I get 5 sick days and 2 personal...and I work 12 months a year.

Its very rare that I'm too sick to be able to go to work. I usually only use 2 of my sick days.

Re: You thoughts on sick days (could be career-related, but also political)

Posted by CouponKT

I think it is because of the people who take advantage. They screw EVERYTHING UP for the rest of us!!

Re: You thoughts on sick days (could be career-related, but also political)

I think sick days are good. I call out when I'm ill, no other time. At past jobs I had sick, personal and vacation time. Now I have accrued PTO time and it sucks. If I take a day it's my vacation time. I don't get to add my days up any more. At previous jobs I was able to do that up to a max. Something like that is great for people going to have surgery or having a baby.

Re: You thoughts on sick days (could be career-related, but also political)

For the record, in NY your employer cannot ask you why you called out sick. It's illegal! You call out sick, you're sick. They can't ask with what. However, you can't abuse the system and not expect them to ask for a doctor's note especially if you took many days in a row. They can ask for that.

Re: You thoughts on sick days (could be career-related, but also political)

Re: You thoughts on sick days (could be career-related, but also political)

Posted by beautyq115

I teach in NYC and we get 10 a year and we have to "earn" them

The mayor wants us to have only 5!

I take them when I am sick. I have taken them in emergency situations as well.

Re: You thoughts on sick days (could be career-related, but also political)

I hated using sick days for when I was really sick.

dh is in restaurants. they really get no sick days at all. If he is sick, someone has to work for him, then he has to work for them the following week to pay them back since that person worked an extra shift.