Going to Work Sick

[LadyJaneinMD]

I understand why we go to work sick. 
For example, y'all have heard about my feet now, ad nauseum.  They hurt A LOT. All the time, or well, nearly all of the time.  I've been to TWO podiatrists, and I've had several shots, which don't work.  They've been wrapped, which works, but then my feet break out in a rash.  I've done physical therapy for months, and almost lost my job because of the missed time at work.  The only option left is surgery, which would require several weeks (at least 3) at home because my life simply isn't wheelchair accessible.  I can't work from home - I've already asked.
So what options do I have?  Work a lot, with sore feet.  Forever.

I can't.  Remember, I'm a CONTRACTOR.  I can't take time off work without losing my job.



Why can't you just take a medical leave for your surgery?  Even here in NC, where the labor laws are almost non existant, if you take a prescribed medical leave, they have to hold your job for you for a certain period of time.  You wouldn't get paid for it, but at least you could come back to it.

[LadyJaneinMD]

For all of you working in the United States, the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)does protect employees who take time off for sick leave either for themselves or family members under certain circumstances.  I would recommend doing some basic research on this particular federal law, as it prohibits certain employers from taking any negative action, including firing or a poor performance evaluation, against an employee for taking covered leave. 

FMLA only applies if you are a full-time employee, you have to be on the job for at least a year. The employer also has to have at least 50 employees. (I think)

Some places STILL give you an occurance if you take FMLA leave.

In the US, the employer has all the rights when it comes to hiring or firing. Most states are "at will" employer states. This means that the employer can fire you for any reason at all! Most won't though.

FMLA is only availible if one is haveing a baby (male or female), adopting a baby (male or female), or caring for a dependant relative. My mom took the most leave allowed when my grandma had a stroke.

Ginger

You got most of it, but there is more to it than that.....from www.dol.gov/esa/whd/fmla/

Synopsis of Law
Covered employers must grant an eligible employee up to a total of 12 workweeks of unpaid leave during any 12-month period for one or more of the following reasons:

for the birth and care of the newborn child of the employee;
for placement with the employee of a son or daughter for adoption or foster care;
to care for an immediate family member (spouse, child, or parent) with a serious health condition; or
to take medical leave when the employee is unable to work because of a serious health condition.

There are other links on the page for more details, but that is the main explanation.....

This is not a serious health condition.  It's far from life-threatening.  It's just painful. 

[HogwartsAlum]

We have no sick days to speak of, but we get more vacation time than I've ever gotten anywhere else (2 weeks instead of one).  Not long after I started this job I broke a tooth (had cavity, got no dental care during unemployment).  I HAD to call in and ended up having oral surgery that day.  HR was very understanding and I was not penalized for it.  If we miss part of a day we have to make it up or use vacation time, but no one said anything about it.  I was lucky.

There are people in the office right now, though, who have had the stomach flu (it's going around) and are not really well enough to be here.  They look like Death on a cracker.  They should be at home.  I don't want to get sick because of them.  They are playing martyr.  I would smack them, but I don't want to touch them!

[RoseRose]

I'm in college.  I have classes with required attendance.  I miss more than that many days (one of them even states that even if there is an emergency), I automatically flunk.  Thus, I only use them when I'm REALLY out of it, and for sure can't concentrate, and being there would be counterproductive.  I will skip any non-required classes on those days, though, if I can without having problems with missing class that would indirectly affect my grade.

[Oxymoroness]

As for the family thing, one workaholic boss solved that one by hiring only single people whose time theoretically could always be hijacked for the company.

Wow! That's really illegal. 

[Venus193]

Wow! That's really illegal. 

Would that it had been.  As interesting as he was to work for and as witty as he could be I have to wonder whether he deliberately hired single people in hopes of finding another corporate nun like me.