I can't use sick time I've earned??

Nurses General Nursing

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New job. Still on orientation..and just found out that I cannot use any of my accrued sick time until I have 90 hrs in my bank??? Seems So stupid!

Sounds like a pretty common, ordinary, and quite acceptable policy. Benefits come with conditions, period.

Your employer will allow you to use sick time after you have proven (through completion of orientation or probation) that you are worth keeping at all.

You can, of course, get sick in that time, but you will not be given free pay. Once your employer knows they want to keep you on staff, you will be paid for an earned sick day.

You like that your employer offers sick time, but don't like that you don't get it fast enough on a new job. Can't offer much sympathy.

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Well, I think it's a shame so many people seem to consider things like sick time to be a "privilege" bestowed by a gracious employer rather than a fundamental right that should be protected by law....

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Specializes in ER, Trauma.

The wonderful world of nursing! Of all employers, why is it hospitals are the least understanding of the fact that people get sick?

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Well, I think it's a shame so many people seem to consider things like sick time to be a "privilege" bestowed by a gracious employer rather than a fundamental right that should be protected by law....

The employee is not being denied the use of sick time, but instead told that during the probationary period it is not accessible. The benefit IS conditional, and it is NOT a right protected by law, so why are you surprised that people treat it as such? If it WERE protected as a right, that would be different. But it isn't, so.....the employee follows the conditions---yes, the privilege--because that's the rule by which it has been offered.

Apparently you're fortunate enough to have a job that allows you to believe that paid sick leave is a "fundamental right", rather than what it ACTUALLY is: a benefit.

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The wonderful world of nursing! Of all employers, why is it hospitals are the least understanding of the fact that people get sick?

They don't have a lack of understanding. They have a lack of interest in employees who have been on the clock for a matter of weeks but intend to get paid for taking the day off for illness. It's a matter of business....in this day of crashing reimbursements and rising costs, what makes you think hospitals are any less so?

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

Almost every place I've worked at--including in non-nursing capacities--has a policy in place regarding use of sick time on orientation, in order to prevent abuse. Usually the policy was that you could call out if you were really sick but it would be unpaid, or you were limited to X number of sick hours.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

It is a very common misconception that sick, personal and vacation time are mandated by law. These are part of a benefits package and most per diem employees are not eligible to earn. The only laws that are across the country are that you must be paid for hours worked and overtime as applicable (unless an exempt employee). Many states have are additional restrictions for maximum number of hours worked in a given time period for nurses working in hospitals and a few other healthcare facilities.

Sick time, personal time, and vacation times are benefits not rights. Just like a nursing or driver's licenses are privileges not rights.

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Many employers don't allow employees to enroll in their insurance plans until they have been employed for three months....is that being mean, also?

Do you believe all benefits must be bestowed on the second day of employment?

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Do you believe all benefits must be bestowed on the second day of employment?

No, but it would be nice...especially if you lost your benefits at a previous employer and can't afford COBRA.:yes: The best deal I ever had was benefits (not paid time off but medical/dental) were available for full time (37.5-40hrs some worked 8.5hr shifts others worked 8hr shifts 5 days a week) employees on the first day of the first month after you finished orientation. So if you started July 15th, finished orientation on July 29th your benefits would start August 1st. if you had a experienced position that needed only short orientation and started July 27 and finished July 30th, your benefits would also start August 1st.

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The employee is not being denied the use of sick time, but instead told that during the probationary period it is not accessible. The benefit IS conditional, and it is NOT a right protected by law, so why are you surprised that people treat it as such? If it WERE protected as a right, that would be different. But it isn't, so.....the employee follows the conditions---yes, the privilege--because that's the rule by which it has been offered.Apparently you're fortunate enough to have a job that allows you to believe that paid sick leave is a "fundamental right", rather than what it ACTUALLY is: a benefit.
I do understand that PTO isn't a legally protected aspect of employment. I'm saying that it should be. I think it's a shame our culture seems content to let it rest where it is. Along with so many other things all wage earners should be fighting tooth and nail for. Remember: all the legal rights we do have now were once merely privligies. Overtime pay and safe working conditions were just privileges once upon a time....
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Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.

We can use ours until we are past the 90 day period either. We have two banks. One sick and one vacation. Our contract states we have to use 8 hours of PTO (for a 12 hr shift) and then EIB kicks in. If it's a family emergency, EIB kicks in right away. I think we have it pretty good.

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Specializes in L&D.

Ok sorry I haven't been able to come back here and contribute here.I am amazed at some of the rude remarks! Welcome to nursing? Sorry but I'm no newbie. I've been in nursing for 30 some years. So I've seen the decline of benefits over the years.Yes if I was getting benefits after the first month of working I would seriously not want to work there. I've been without medical coverage for several months..and my family needs insurance.I was told today in nursing orientation that I have to accrue more than 90 hours of sickliest hours before I can use any. At less than 4 hours per pay that will take over a year before I can use any. And I'm suppose to keep 90 hours in the bank even after taking any vacation time?

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