I'm curious how other institutions handle staff illnesses, particularly colds and the flu.
I work at in an HCA hospital in the OR. According to policy, we are not supposed to work while sick, and they administer flu shots. However...
My HCA facility uses a point system to record absenteeism and tardies. If a person calls in sick 4 hours or less before their shift, 2 points are counted against you. If you go into work but leave within 4 hours of your shift, 1.5 points are counted. If you are late 1 minute - 2 hours, 1 point. No show, 2 points. 7 points and you're fired. Points are erased after 1 year of the incident. Points are 'reviewed' during annual evaluations.
My HCA facility does not have paid sick leave. Employees have to use their PTO, automatically deducted. If the person doesn't have PTO, then they don't get paid. Vacation time can only be awarded if the person has sufficient PTO.
My HCA facility also gives bonuses to employees who do not call in sick for the year, awarded every summer.
So...it's that time of the year where even my manager comes to work sick to preserve their PTO time, possibly get a bonus, and avoid racking up these dreaded points. This policy particularly hurts single parents because they often call in sick for their kids, and end up working sick to minimize their penalty points.
I understand that calling-in is often abused and a fair system is needed. I was wondering what other people have experienced, and what has worked. I also don't know if this point-system is throughout HCA.
BTW, I'm writing this sick. I caught it from either my manager or another sick co-worker.