Not getting paid when I call off...

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jan 30, 2008

Well, at least your place of employment offers sick pay in the first place.

My current workplace offers no sick pay whatsoever, regardless of whether the worker can provide a doctor's note documenting the illness or affliction. If I wish to be paid for a sick day, my only option is to use my PTO (paid time off). My workplace also offers no holiday pay.

ICRN2008, BSN, RN · Jan 30, 2008

Is this a policy that applies to everyone from the very first day they're sick each year? If so I consider this to be an excessive and punitive policy. However, if it is a policy aimed at those who consistently call off, then it's a different story.

I imagine that some physicians might be willing to fax over a note to your employer if they know you well enough. If not, would your HR department allow you to use your vacation time? At every facility I've worked at so far we have had combined vacation/holiday/sick time known as PTO or PPL. This means that those with excessive call offs end up giving up vacation time if they wish to be paid when they're sick.

llg, PhD, RN · Jan 30, 2008

Clarify with your supervisor or Human Resources department EXACTLY what is needed in the docto's note. Do they need evidence that you were actually seen by a physician for that illness? If so, then you are just going to have let the money go this time as you can't ask your doctor to lie for you. Do they need your doctor to say that you are not contagious and that is safe for you to return to work? Than that's another story. You could go to the doctor now and be seen and be "cleared to return to work." That is my hospital's policy. Anyone missing 24 hours of work needs to be cleared before they can return.

Be sure you understand the policy so that you can "play it right" next time. Depending on what the policy actually is, you may have to simply accept this loss for the moment.

sheluke · Jan 30, 2008

I really hate those stringent a policy where after missing one day you are expected to bring in a Dr note. There are illnesses where you would not want an employee at work spreading germs, with fever, etc, yet a day or two in bed may be sufficient, as in most viruses and it is unnceccessary to go to a Dr.

Why on earth would we insist on someone going to a Dr when they do not need to, with the drains on family practice and lack of appointments already?

What I have seen and mostly works is that 1 or 2 days comes out of pto or pal (paid annual leave) and then after that the 3rd day out of a smaller actual 'sick' bank and at that point it is at manager discretion to request a note, ie if you are out more than 3 days it is reasonable to request a note clearing you.

rjflyn, ASN, RN · Jan 30, 2008

We work in healthcare, we are exposed daily to all kinds of nasties yet we are expected to be at work every day. And then hit with asinine expectations like that. If anything personally we should have more sick-day' s than the general public. But yes management does need to grow a set and clamp down on the ones that abuse system.

Rj

EmmaG, RN · Jan 30, 2008

I was told yesterday that I won't get paid for two days I called off sick. I was told I need a doctor's note, or I won't get paid. I have earned the time. I have never been told no before. This is a new policy so as no lay offs will occur that's what we've been told anyway. How do I get a doctor to give me a note even though he/she didn't see me on that day? Anybody experience this?

If you weren't told this at the time of the call-off, and no notice was given about this new policy, then seems to me they'd have to pay you for this one. Now that you know of it, they could hold you to it next time.

txRN07 · Jan 30, 2008

Don't you have PTO hours that you earn? I usually cash those in when I am sick, there is always plenty of hours left over for vacation time.

hikernurse · Jan 30, 2008

We work in healthcare, we are exposed daily to all kinds of nasties yet we are expected to be at work every day. And then hit with asinine expectations like that. If anything personally we should have more sick-day' s than the general public. But yes management does need to grow a set and clamp down on the ones that abuse system.
Rj

I absolutely agree. Especially since many of us work with immunocompromised patients. "Don't come in to work sick, but don't call in or you'll get dinged." Very frustating to those who want to give good patient care.

Although since many in management are female, wouldn't "grow[ing] a set" kind of throw things off...hormonally and all ?

allnurses Guide · Jan 31, 2008

Where I used to work, IIRC, you had to actually be out like, 3 or more days before you could even start using sick time. If you were only out one or two days, you had to use PTO, even with a doctor's note.

It never bothered me too much, because it was good insurance that my sick time would keep building up in case of any unexpected emergency, such as a car accident or emergency surgery or whatever. Plus, I never have been one to get sick much; sick enough to really need to call in to work anyway.

kcochrane · Jan 31, 2008

If you weren't told this at the time of the call-off, and no notice was given about this new policy, then seems to me they'd have to pay you for this one. Now that you know of it, they could hold you to it next time.

I agree, if you were not told about the policy ahead of time, I would argue your case. I think it will be very hard to get a doctor's note from a doctor that never saw you.

OklaLPN · Jan 31, 2008

Hi Commuter...

You and I must work at the same place...