Sick calls

Editorial Team / Admin · Nov 27, 2015

3 occurrences within 90 days starts the disciplinary program. First is verbal warning; another call out within 30 days goes to written warning, a second call out within 90 days is termination. Patterns can also lead to disciplinary actions, such as calling out as soon as the initial disciplinary action is completed multiple times. An occurrence is a call off for consecutive working days, even if it's more than one (such as call off on Monday and Tuesday is considered 1 occurrence). Tardies are also considered an occurrence, but most of the managers give leniency on those.

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Nov 27, 2015

TBH, I have no idea. I've only called out once in 4 years, and that was because my mother died.

BumbleBuddy · Nov 27, 2015

5 occurrences in a year. Sick days are 1 occurrence and tardies are .5. 5.5 occurrences is a verbal. 6.5 is a write up. Occurrences fall off 1 year after you received it and disciplinary actions fall off after 18 months. You can be off several days and have only 1 occurrence as long as the days are consecutive.

NOADLS · Nov 28, 2015

We don't have any specific parameters. However, there aren't many issues with people calling in sick. The ones that management goes after are the ones that call in sick on a pay-day weekend.

Someone might call in sick and miss 3 shifts in a row. That could easily be explained by an actual illness. No harm done.

But another person who calls sick on two consecutive pay weekends would raise a red flag.

Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN · Nov 28, 2015

I work in med/surg and our limit is seven a year. I pay little attention to it and just call in any time I'm sick. I've been told I'm over the limit, but no one has done anything and it wouldn't change my behavior if they did.

NurseyPoo7 · Nov 28, 2015

After 4 call outs in 1 year, you get a verbal warning. After 5 in a year you get a written warning and are no longer eligible for a yearly raise

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Nov 28, 2015

At my current place of employment, three call-ins within three months triggers the progressive disciplinary action process. It starts with a verbal written warning and can progress all the way to termination of employment.

PinayUSA · Nov 28, 2015

3 occurrences within 90 days starts the disciplinary program. First is verbal warning; another call out within 30 days goes to written warning, a second call out within 90 days is termination. Patterns can also lead to disciplinary actions, such as calling out as soon as the initial disciplinary action is completed multiple times. An occurrence is a call off for consecutive working days, even if it's more than one (such as call off on Monday and Tuesday is considered 1 occurrence). Tardies are also considered an occurrence, but most of the managers give leniency on those.

I like that policy, it is clear cut. I hate when people pull the "sick" card.......

joanna73, BSN, RN · Nov 28, 2015

6 occurrences in one year for full time employees, pro rated to your FTE. So for example, if you're working a. 50, then you would be allowed 3 occurrences.

Attendance is monitored every 3 months and we have a policy that employees can reference.

bebbercorn · Nov 29, 2015

I don't like to work short staffed either, but IMHO, when people come in sick or hungover and can't pull their own weight, I'd rather they'd have stayed home.

bluegeegoo2, LPN · Nov 29, 2015

We have an attendance policy, but it isn't enforced (unless they're trying to get rid of you, then suddenly it's all by the book.) The prevailing culture seems to be show up if you want, when you want.

One CNA in particular has no call/no showed twice, called off at least 4 times, and routinely comes dragging in 30-60 minutes late or more and is still on the schedule. (This has been in the last month.) She claims that her and HR "Have an understanding." Nice. I wonder if HR has an "understanding" that the culture she has created causes low morale, resentment, understaffing and directly affects resident care?

This is LTC.