AllieC
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,057
Jul 4, 2014 6:57:02 GMT
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Post by AllieC on Nov 5, 2017 4:18:01 GMT
Reading the thread about the sick days that don’t accumulate brought up a question.
Under Australia’s basic working conditions full-time employees are entitled to 10 paid sick/carer leave days each year (part time is pro-rata). This is accumulated so you can build up substantial leave if you work for an employer for a long time.
My question is, what do you do if you have to take 6 weeks off for surgery for example? I’ve had to take 4-6 weeks off several times over my working life and it has all been paid leave.
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Post by katlady on Nov 5, 2017 4:26:15 GMT
At my Company, if you are sick for more than 5 days you are put on short-term disability. Part of your pay then comes from the State and the rest from your sick days (if you have any left). I forget the ratio, but if it is 70/30, then 30% of the hours that you are out of work is taken from your sick time. At my Company, we also have to ability to buy extra disability pay that kicks in to cover what you sick days don't. But, it is optional and not everyone buys it.
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Post by betty on Nov 5, 2017 4:35:06 GMT
You don't get paid.
That is our experience anyway. Dh had a flesh destroying infection years ago. He was out ill and unable to work for months. Once his vacation time (2 weeks) and sick time (5 days) were used he did not receive a pay check but his job held his position for him until he could return to work. It was a small employer so no other type of disability insurance was offered. They did let him keep his insurance but we had to pay the full amount of the coverage. He was able to go back for half days at first and later full days. I worked part time back then and my pay covered the car payment & insurance.
During that time we went into default on our home loan and used our little bit of savings to pay for his child support for his children from first marriage. Our parents helped out a lot with groceries, and utilities and gas money. The hospital was an hour away and he had to be driven to appointments multiple times a week.
The medical bills piled up. That's life.
Currently his employer offers short and long term disability at additional cost with our insurance.
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Post by burningfeather on Nov 5, 2017 4:37:07 GMT
Reading the thread about the sick days that don’t accumulate brought up a question. Under Australia’s basic working conditions full-time employees are entitled to 10 paid sick/carer leave days each year (part time is pro-rata). This is accumulated so you can build up substantial leave if you work for an employer for a long time. My question is, what do you do if you have to take 6 weeks off for surgery for example? I’ve had to take 4-6 weeks off several times over my working life and it has all been paid leave. At my husband's employer, you are put on short term disability for that period. You also have the opportunity (once a year) to purchase long term disability coverage in varying degrees to cover anything that goes longer than 6 weeks. My husband works for a company that is supposed to be one of the best in the country as far as benefits and he is awarded plenty of sick time (that does roll over). You can be out for 3 days per incidence, but beyond that a doctor's note is required. If you call in sick more than 3 times in a 12 month period, you are written up and it is put in your file. Which is a complete and total bullshit policy if you ask me, but I guess it's due to people calling in when they are not sick.
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Post by Eddie-n-Harley on Nov 5, 2017 4:50:28 GMT
When I had my gall bladder out, I was out for two weeks. I just took (paid) vacation time for that. I also could have used sick leave or other types of leave (sometimes we get "floating holidays" if the holiday falls on a Saturday when we're closed). But if you have to be out and are out of leave time, you don't get paid (at least by the employer). My employer does offer income continuation/disability insurance, though it's an optional benefit.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 18, 2024 2:30:26 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2017 4:51:43 GMT
Reading the thread about the sick days that don’t accumulate brought up a question. Under Australia’s basic working conditions full-time employees are entitled to 10 paid sick/carer leave days each year (part time is pro-rata). This is accumulated so you can build up substantial leave if you work for an employer for a long time. My question is, what do you do if you have to take 6 weeks off for surgery for example? I’ve had to take 4-6 weeks off several times over my working life and it has all been paid leave. It depends on your employer. They aren't required to pay you for not working. Some companies do have short/long term disability insurance if you want to purchase it (and can afford it!) That will provide a percentage of your salary if you are out of work.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 18, 2024 2:30:26 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2017 6:06:22 GMT
Where I worked sick leave did accumulate, but you didn't always have enough built up for an emergency. Employees were allowed to donate their vacation and compensatory time to each other if they wanted to.
I had such an emergency. I was hospitalized twice and had unplanned surgery. All told I was out 8 weeks. Between my leave balances and the generosity of my coworkers, I didn't lose a single day's pay.
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Post by hop2 on Nov 5, 2017 12:17:42 GMT
Oh, well, you just rely on your trust fund while you recuperate. 😉Accumulating sick time is just dead weight that no one deserves and no one should have to pay for. What kind of lazy person takes 6 weeks off from work to heal from an emergency? Why didn’t that person plan ahead and save for such an occurrence. How lazy can they be? Why should I be in the hook for their poor planning (That’s Sarcasm in case you don’t realize it! )
Honestly I think a person’s sick time should accumulate until they use it. However, I don’t think a retired person should take their sick time with them in cash. But I do think people should be able to accrue it to deal with real illnesses while they are there. But it’s a rarity any more for many employers to offer it. Instead of accumulating sick time my friends company takes your unused sick time to pay for your short & long term disability policy the next year. I think that is also fair. They have a really great policy and it’s still cheaper for her employer than accumulating sick days. You use your sick days then you pay your policy. Seems a reasonable compromise imho
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Post by christine58 on Nov 5, 2017 12:34:13 GMT
However, I don’t think a retired person should take their sick time with them in cash. But I do think people should be able to accrue it to deal with real ill Why not??? I earned it...I was a great employee as a teacher. Over my 31 years where I retired from, I averaged 2-3 sick days per year that I took off. Many of those were for doctor's appointments etc during the day.
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pridemom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,843
Jul 12, 2014 21:58:10 GMT
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Post by pridemom on Nov 5, 2017 12:59:12 GMT
Short term disability is not a given in the US. I have never worked somewhere tgat provided it. The vast majority of states do not have it. I work for my state and it doesn't cover until you are out for months, so a six week surgical recovery wouldn't be covered. Heck, our governor just gave us parental leave, not through the legislature, but by executive order.
Anyway, the above post that you struggle, and possibly lose your home is correct. The Americans with Disabilities Act will protect you having a job, but too many employers don't follow it. They certainly don't make it known. I helped two people this week with that information.
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valleyview
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,816
Jun 27, 2014 18:41:26 GMT
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Post by valleyview on Nov 5, 2017 13:01:03 GMT
Three times in my career I had to take six weeks off due to illness. I used my sick days, and after 5 unpaid days, I was eligible for sick leave bank. It was a lifesaver!
I cannot imagine working with only 5 sick days per year. That is not enough to cover pediatric care, much less the chance of the flu. Surgery recovery in 5 days is unlikely.
The discussion on sick leave really illustrates out how poor our views on healthcare are in the US.
As for teachers and other state employees who can cash out upon retirement, I do believe that those days were worked and should be used in retirement.
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pridemom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,843
Jul 12, 2014 21:58:10 GMT
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Post by pridemom on Nov 5, 2017 13:08:48 GMT
As for teachers and other state employees who can cash out upon retirement, I do believe that those days were worked and should be used in retirement. Agreed. It's a benefit. State workers and teachers are paid low salaries in the vast majority of areas. I work for the state that pays the lowest of the fifty! Those who complain can give up their corporate bonuses and perks!
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Post by hop2 on Nov 5, 2017 14:04:41 GMT
However, I don’t think a retired person should take their sick time with them in cash. But I do think people should be able to accrue it to deal with real ill Why not??? I earned it...I was a great employee as a teacher. Over my 31 years where I retired from, I averaged 2-3 sick days per year that I took off. Many of those were for doctor's appointments etc during the day. Because sick days are for an emergency, for a health issue, an injury, for family care. Retirement is not an unforeseen health emergency or injury. That is exactly why most employers will not allow accrued sick time because the payout at the end is too large to cover. Where I work it is very difficult to actually take my sick days because of my job. I’m never going to be able to use them all, without causing issues. I’m glad they are there for a health issue but I also understand that I can’t take them with me. I consider myself lucky to have them while I’m there since most people don’t have that ‘luxury’ if I expect to take the sick days with me then the company won’t have the money to pay the sick days of the people still working there. It’s gracious enough that my company will pay me my current salary for a sick day I earned at my starting salary. I guess our opinions differ.
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iluvpink
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,291
Location: Michigan
Jul 13, 2014 12:40:31 GMT
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Post by iluvpink on Nov 5, 2017 16:00:53 GMT
I'm fortunate, my employer provides fifteen sick days per year (they do not accumulate and can also be used for spouses, children and I believe parents). After that as long as you've been a full time employee for at least two years, you get extended sick time, six months at full pay and six months at half pay.
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quiltz
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,708
Location: CANADA
Jun 29, 2014 16:13:28 GMT
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Post by quiltz on Nov 5, 2017 16:29:40 GMT
@alliec Both you & I work in countries where there is socialized medical care. I can not understand who medical care works in America nor do I want to even try learning about it.
Yes, I do pay higher taxes, but it is in smaller amounts, usually on purchases (GST & PST or HST). I was very glad that my ddil was able to take her 6 months mat leave and my son took the 3 months of paternity leave.
I believe that a person's health, especially preventive care, is essential. I don't know how I would be able to decide if I *truly* needed the doc appt or if the co-pay might mean that the rent/mortgage/grocery budget would be affected. Preventive health care is so important to ensure that society, as a whole, is healthy and that any illnesses that could impact many people, be nipped in the bud, before an epidemic.
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iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,134
Jun 25, 2014 22:52:46 GMT
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Post by iowgirl on Nov 5, 2017 16:37:38 GMT
Self employed - so there are no sick days. You just work through it. DH broke his leg and was in the hospital years ago, and thankfully family could help out with chores for a few days, and it wasn't harvest or planting time. They told him to not work for 3 weeks. He was back to work, somewhat hobbled, the next day after he got out of the hospital.
That was about 25 years ago. He has had one day since then that he was too sick to get up for chores. I managed them by myself that day, but I was sick too - just not as sick. (Flu). I was very concerned about him, as that is REALLY sick...
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Post by Skellinton on Nov 5, 2017 16:38:19 GMT
We get 6 sick days/pto a year, but we also have mandatory closures of at least 18 work days we don't get paid, so if we have managed to not use any sick time we use it for that. Obviously we still have over 2 weeks where we don't get paid at all. Fortunately we have very good health insurance to offset the terrible sick/vacation time.
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AnotherPea
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,968
Jan 4, 2015 1:47:52 GMT
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Post by AnotherPea on Nov 5, 2017 16:49:05 GMT
short term and long term disability policies are available. I've purchased policies through various employers and independently. They are relatively cheap, thankfully.
Some companies have sick leave banks or other ways that coworkers can share their time. Sometimes that is limited.
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katybee
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,378
Jun 25, 2014 23:25:39 GMT
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Post by katybee on Nov 5, 2017 17:38:02 GMT
Honestly I think a person’s sick time should accumulate until they use it. However, I don’t think a retired person should take their sick time with them in cash. But I do think people should be able to accrue it to deal with real illnesses while they are there. But it’s a rarity any more for many employers to offer it. Instead of accumulating sick time my friends company takes your unused sick time to pay for your short & long term disability policy the next year. I think that is also fair. They have a really great policy and it’s still cheaper for her employer than accumulating sick days. You use your sick days then you pay your policy. Seems a reasonable compromise imho I disagree. Your PTO is part of your benefit package. It's YOURS, not your employer's. They factor the cost of PTO into your salary. By not taking it, you are giving part of your compensation back to your employer. You actually saved them money by not being sick.
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Post by KelleeM on Nov 5, 2017 18:05:03 GMT
Twice I’ve had to take extended time off due to injury and illness. My company had great short term disability then in that it provided up to 26 weeks of coverage. Now it’s only 12 weeks. But I only received 60% of my regular pay minus all benefits costs. It was a struggle both times but I was very fortunate I had coverage. Illness or injuries can be completely devastating to American employees.
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Post by Baseballmom23 on Nov 5, 2017 18:12:48 GMT
However, I don’t think a retired person should take their sick time with them in cash. But I do think people should be able to accrue it to deal with real ill Why not??? I earned it...I was a great employee as a teacher. Over my 31 years where I retired from, I averaged 2-3 sick days per year that I took off. Many of those were for doctor's appointments etc during the day. I too am a public employee. My sick time is unlimited. I too have been healthy and I have a large balance. Just recently we have been given the benefit upon retirement to convert that time to service credit. I think that this will stop those employees from using sick time for time off when they are not sick. I have also seen employees when they are near retirement "get sick" and with a doctors note use up all their time since they know they won't be compensated for the time they earned. SaveSave
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Post by hennybutton on Nov 5, 2017 18:25:00 GMT
Reading the thread about the sick days that don’t accumulate brought up a question. Under Australia’s basic working conditions full-time employees are entitled to 10 paid sick/carer leave days each year (part time is pro-rata). This is accumulated so you can build up substantial leave if you work for an employer for a long time. My question is, what do you do if you have to take 6 weeks off for surgery for example? I’ve had to take 4-6 weeks off several times over my working life and it has all been paid leave. It depends on your employer. They aren't required to pay you for not working. Some companies do have short/long term disability insurance if you want to purchase it (and can afford it!) That will provide a percentage of your salary if you are out of work. Apparently, it also depends on you state. Here in California, we pay into state disability insurance. That kicks in if you're out more than two weeks.
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Post by littlemama on Nov 5, 2017 21:01:14 GMT
If you have purchased short term disability insurance (none of us have, by the way), you would be paid a percentage of your wages. If not, you go unpaid once all of your PTO is used up.
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Post by freecharlie on Nov 5, 2017 21:23:40 GMT
Why not??? I earned it...I was a great employee as a teacher. Over my 31 years where I retired from, I averaged 2-3 sick days per year that I took off. Many of those were for doctor's appointments etc during the day. Because sick days are for an emergency, for a health issue, an injury, for family care. Retirement is not an unforeseen health emergency or injury. That is exactly why most employers will not allow accrued sick time because the payout at the end is too large to cover. Where I work it is very difficult to actually take my sick days because of my job. I’m never going to be able to use them all, without causing issues. I’m glad they are there for a health issue but I also understand that I can’t take them with me. I consider myself lucky to have them while I’m there since most people don’t have that ‘luxury’ if I expect to take the sick days with me then the company won’t have the money to pay the sick days of the people still working there. It’s gracious enough that my company will pay me my current salary for a sick day I earned at my starting salary. I guess our opinions differ. I think part of the difference is that a district will have to pay a sub to cover that class while some employers just run short. In my district they only pay about 60% and you have to have over a certain number of hours accumulated before they pay. So in my district, it is better financially to pay out than have teachers take all their sick days
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Post by Eddie-n-Harley on Nov 5, 2017 21:57:07 GMT
Short term disability is not a given in the US. I have never worked somewhere tgat provided it. The vast majority of states do not have it. I work for my state and it doesn't cover until you are out for months, so a six week surgical recovery wouldn't be covered. Heck, our governor just gave us parental leave, not through the legislature, but by executive order. Anyway, the above post that you struggle, and possibly lose your home is correct. The Americans with Disabilities Act will protect you having a job, but too many employers don't follow it. They certainly don't make it known. I helped two people this week with that information. I think it's the FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act) that protects you, not the ADA-- the ADA protects you from discrimination on the basis of your disability and requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations so you can do the job-- but the FMLA does not apply to all employers.
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pridemom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,843
Jul 12, 2014 21:58:10 GMT
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Post by pridemom on Nov 5, 2017 21:58:51 GMT
Short term disability is not a given in the US. I have never worked somewhere tgat provided it. The vast majority of states do not have it. I work for my state and it doesn't cover until you are out for months, so a six week surgical recovery wouldn't be covered. Heck, our governor just gave us parental leave, not through the legislature, but by executive order. Anyway, the above post that you struggle, and possibly lose your home is correct. The Americans with Disabilities Act will protect you having a job, but too many employers don't follow it. They certainly don't make it known. I helped two people this week with that information. I think it's the FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act) that protects you, not the ADA-- the ADA protects you from discrimination on the basis of your disability and requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations so you can do the job-- but the FMLA does not apply to all employers. ADA picks up for unpaid leave where FMLA ends or completely misses. Unpaid leave for a disability is a reasonable accommodation according to the EEOC.
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Post by Eddie-n-Harley on Nov 5, 2017 22:02:54 GMT
I think it's the FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act) that protects you, not the ADA-- the ADA protects you from discrimination on the basis of your disability and requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations so you can do the job-- but the FMLA does not apply to all employers. ADA picks up for unpaid leave where FMLA ends or completely misses. Unpaid leave for a disability is a reasonable accommodation according to the EEOC. I see. Do you happen to know how long you have to be out for a medical incident to be considered a disability?
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pridemom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,843
Jul 12, 2014 21:58:10 GMT
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Post by pridemom on Nov 5, 2017 22:11:20 GMT
ADA picks up for unpaid leave where FMLA ends or completely misses. Unpaid leave for a disability is a reasonable accommodation according to the EEOC. I see. Do you happen to know how long you have to be out for a medical incident to be considered a disability? It's not a matter of length of time, but whether the medical problem (or cause of the problem if a co-morbidity) qualifies as a disability under the ADA. The ADA defines disability as a physical or mental disability that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Major life activities include breathing, walking, talking, hearing, seeing, sleeping, working, caring for one's self, and performing manual tasks. It also includes, but isn't limited to, major bodily systems such as endocrine, immune, digestive, bowel, bladder, neurological, brain, respiratory, circulatory, musco-skeletal systems.
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Post by anxiousmom on Nov 5, 2017 23:30:24 GMT
I work for the state. Part of my compensation for being paid wages that are essentially low enough for me to eligible for food stamps is my health insurance and my time off. I get time for sick leave and I get time for annual leave and a personal day annually. I get a balance of that paid out if/when I leave, or if I move to another state job it follows me.
I use the sick days, but rarely take time off otherwise.
But if I wanted, I could use my annual leave for sick days.
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Post by Baseballmom23 on Nov 6, 2017 1:09:07 GMT
ADA picks up for unpaid leave where FMLA ends or completely misses. Unpaid leave for a disability is a reasonable accommodation according to the EEOC. I believe it is SDI, State Disability Insurance, that picks up for unpaid leave, not ADA. At least here in California. I used SDI when I was off on maternity leave several years ago. SaveSave
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