All articles tagged with #sick leave
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy indicated that air traffic controllers who called in sick before missing pay during the government shutdown might face disciplinary action, raising concerns about staffing and safety at US airports amid ongoing funding disputes.
During the government shutdown, U.S. air traffic controllers who call in sick will not be paid, leading to increased flight delays and potential safety concerns, with union officials warning that such measures could backfire and disrupt air travel further.
Missouri Governor signed a bill to rollback a voter-approved minimum wage increase and paid sick leave, reflecting Republican efforts to limit the impact of ballot measures that often support Democratic causes, amidst broader struggles over direct democracy in Republican-led states.
Michigan House Republicans walked out of a legislative session, demanding votes on bills related to paid sick leave and the tipped wage for restaurant workers. With only a few days left before Democrats lose control of the chamber, Republicans are leveraging the tight timeline to push their agenda. Democrats continued to pass unrelated bills, including those addressing 'sextortion.' The GOP's walkout highlights ongoing tensions and the struggle to pass key legislation before the session ends.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued guidance on managing a new strain of norovirus, dubbed the 'Kawasaki' bug, which is responsible for 70% of norovirus infections in the UK. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea, with additional symptoms like high temperature and aching limbs. Infected individuals are advised to stay home for 48 hours after symptoms cease to prevent spreading the virus. UK law allows employees to take up to seven days of sick leave without proof, providing some relief for those affected.
A high school English teacher in Ohio, Eileen Washburn, is facing potential termination after allegedly calling in sick for two days to attend a concert in Nashville, Tennessee. The school board accused her of falsifying sick leave and refusing to provide details about her absence. Washburn, who is also a board member at another school district, is currently on unpaid leave and faces termination unless she requests a hearing by the next board meeting in April.
A survey of over 1,000 managers reveals concerning attitudes towards sick leave, with 20% admitting to encouraging unwell employees to come into the office and one in four suspecting sick day abuse. Some managers also request medical documentation for sick days and view remote work as an alternative to taking time off. The survey highlights the need for clearer sick leave policies in the workplace.
The rise of remote work has normalized working while sick, as the current surge in illnesses blurs the lines between productivity and well-being. With technology enabling work from home, the dilemma of taking sick days becomes challenging, leading to concerns about the impact on employee well-being and stress levels. As the new year prompts goal-setting, there is a call to reconsider priorities and take genuine days off when unwell, highlighting the need to reevaluate the work culture and its impact on employee health.
A Reddit user shared a story about their supervisor showing up unannounced at their house while on sick leave to hand-deliver a letter about their expiring sick pay. The user considered it a personal space violation and an intimidation tactic. The incident sparked a discussion among online community members about workplace boundaries and the behavior of bosses.
A study conducted by Flamingo, a leave management platform, has identified August 24 as the "sickest day of the year" in the United States, with the highest number of sick leave calls. This peak in sick leave occurs outside of the normal flu seasons, suggesting factors like post-summer fatigue or increased susceptibility to catching bugs as fall approaches. The second "sickest" day is February 13, which coincides with Valentine's Day and sometimes the Super Bowl. Stomach issues were the most common reason cited for sick leave, surpassing COVID-19, anxiety/stress-related conditions, and musculoskeletal injuries. While many Americans take sick days, a significant portion (26%) did not take any sick leave last year.
More than two dozen Boston Market locations in New Jersey have been shut down by the state after failing to pay their workers. The New Jersey Department of Labor claims that the restaurants owe over $600,000 in back pay to hundreds of employees and have been accused of violating minimum wage and sick leave regulations. The franchise has also been hit with nearly $2.6 million in penalties. Boston Market has been struggling and facing lawsuits for unpaid bills, resulting in the closure of numerous locations in recent years. The company has the right to appeal and a hearing is scheduled for August 23.
A new study from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that ill workers who handle food are among the leading drivers of foodborne illness outbreaks at restaurants. The study covered 800 outbreaks of foodborne illness at US restaurants between 2017 and 2019, reported by 25 state and local health departments. While most restaurants surveyed for the study had policies aimed at keeping sick staff from working, fewer than half (44%) offered paid sick leave. The study authors say that extending paid sick leave for more restaurant workers could curb food contamination by safeguarding income for restaurant workers who typically work for low hourly wages and tips.
Lack of paid sick leave, inflexible or late-night schedules, and inconsistent pay can have a significant effect on mental health, according to a new report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rates of serious psychological distress were significantly higher among workers who did not have paid sick leave than among those who did. Late-night shifts and less-flexible schedules also had a significant effect on workers’ mental health. The pandemic has accelerated conversations about the importance of mental health protections in the workplace.
A Chinese tech company fired an employee for taking sick leave and spending it on a tropical island, instead of recuperating at home. The employee had applied for two weeks of paid leave earlier but was rejected by his manager. The employee was fired after a co-worker spotted him at the Hainan airport. The company was ordered to pay compensation, but a higher court overturned the decision, ruling that the employee had gone against the doctor's advice of bed rest.
A Chinese tech company located in Beijing fired an employee after he spent his two-week sick leave on a tropical island. The employee had applied for two weeks of paid leave earlier but was rejected by his manager. The employee was fired after a co-worker spotted him at the Hainan airport. The company appealed the ruling at a higher-level court, which overturned the decision, and the district court upheld its decision because it deemed Xu had gone against the doctor's advice of bed rest.