sickness

[frodsham]

My time keeping at work is excellent, yet during the christmas break I was a victim of the flu bug. I was bed ridden for a couple of days and pretty wretched for a week or so afterwards. The firm I work for does not operate a sick pay scheme, and as I took 3 days off work I was consequently 3 days short in my wages at the end of the month. I personally think it is disgusting that a company can treat loyal workers this way. No wonder my blood boils when I see men and women getting 12 months pay for paternity and maternity leave albeit reduced after 6 months. I have no problem with the maternity leave, yet I think it's so unjust that genuine cases aren't paid sick leave.

[B00]

While I appreciate that you probably not afford to be 3 days short in your wage at the end of the month, indeed none of us can, however I can only assume you were aware of the no sickness pay policy when you signed your contract? The time to complain about it would have been then, at the time of signing, or not take the job in the first place.

[bednobs]

hmmm, i tend to agree with B00, you were perfectly entitled to take or leave the job (as you still are now) There is apparently a lot of evidence to show that companies with no sick pay scheme have much lower levels of sickness amongst staff. I suppose if the same thing happened agan, you could take holiday instead. maternity pay is a goverment thing isnt it? or are you saying your company gives men and women six months full pay for being a parent?

[Nannyjill]

Many firms word their sickness payment schemes as at the discretion of the manager.

One company I worked for actually changed their policy after discussions with management but probably in this economic climate it isn't the right time to enquire.

[LoftyLottie2]

http://www.compactlaw.co.uk/monster/empf44.htm l

You would have been entitled to statutory sick pay: unfortunately though, only after the first three days of absence.

Employers have to comply with the statutory sick pay scheme, same as they would have to comply with maternity pay.

BOO is right I am afraid.

[LoftyLottie2]

Are you over 65? If so, then you won't be entitled to Statutory sick pay.

[frodsham]

Re bednobs answer, and how companies who dont pay sick pay have much lower levels of sickness. prior to my being ill, a group of staff members who I work with all came into work suffering with the first signs of flue. They came in feeling ill beause they couldn't afford the time off.and no doubt passed the bug on to people who were otherwise unaffected, like me. Eventually some of them were off for a few days. perhaps if companies looked at each individuals attendance record and judged them on merit, a bit of sympathy could be shown.

[bednobs]

there isn't much room for sympathy in business, i'm afraid!