Connecticut becomes first state to mandate paid sick time

[MovingTarget]

Good for CT. It is a public health issue, especially in an economy where people struggle to make ends meat. When the average low-wage worker gets sick, often their only options are to go into work sick (thereby spreading illness and impairing overall productivity) or to miss work to recover, which they cannot afford to do. Many low-wage workers have little to no affordable healthcare options, so missing work really isn't an option.

I've worked in many of these types of jobs before - mainly ones where you really shouldn't work sick - retail and food preparation. This law is a good thing.

It really doesn't affect salaried employees as much, as we tend to get some sort of benefit for sick days. It isn't universal though. Many employers have moved to 'ETO' or earned time off, that combines a handful of sick days and accrued vacation time (which is usually 1wk - you can't make a comparison to the benefits across the pond for vacation).

Currently I get 8 sick days per year and 2 personal days. They do not build up. Either we use 'em or lose 'em. Since I teach, I don't really have the impetus to use them when I don't need them as it is often more work to arrange a substitute, prepare lessons, etc so that I take time off. But coming into work sick? That isn't an option as we deal with students. It works out pretty well as a policy.

 

[MovingTarget]

We should probably have a safety net for people who lose their jobs and such.. oh wait, we do..

That safety net is under constant attack, too. The benefits do a lot of good for our society, but saying, "Hey, if I have this type of medical emergency at least we have a safety net!" is a fast-track to living under a bridge.

 

[Greenman]

If sick time is so important then make it a write off for the business...

It is.

 

[HeXen]

people who don't wanna work abuse too much. its not hard to fake something to your dr or your dr. not care enough to worry if your faking or not.

 

[guyver01]

Actually. If you are a waiter and you break your leg and are out for 6 months should your job be held for you?

What about if you get cancer and need to treat that for 8 months?

What happens to your work place healthcare if you get so sick you can no longer work? You lose it. Brilliant scheme.

It's called Long Term Disability & Short Term Disability

most legitimate places have it.

 

[Fear No Evil]

That safety net is under constant attack, too. The benefits do a lot of good for our society, but saying, "Hey, if I have this type of medical emergency at least we have a safety net!" is a fast-track to living under a bridge.

4 trillion a year isn't enough to provide even a basic safety net? How much do we need to spend? 8? 10? 15 trillion a year?

 

[FuzzyBee]

No, not until this law in one state otherwise most businesses if you get sick you lose your job.

Same goes for any situation for example when my Grandfather died my parents came to the job to pick me up to go to New Jersey, the boss who was a woman said unless it was my funeral I was going to I was fired.

Where TF have you worked where you don't get sick days?

And WTF does the second paragraph have to do with mandated sick days?

 

[FuzzyBee]

You don't equal everyone.

I do not have paid sick time off unless I have vacation to cover it. My boss might pay me for it but it's not a mandated policy.

Do you have "vacation" days, or "PTO" days?

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally Posted by dmcowen674
No, not until this law in one state otherwise most businesses if you get sick you lose your job.

Same goes for any situation for example when my Grandfather died my parents came to the job to pick me up to go to New Jersey, the boss who was a woman said unless it was my funeral I was going to I was fired.

Where TF have you worked where you don't get sick days?

And WTF does the second paragraph have to do with mandated sick days?

Long Island New York, Watson Foods was that place. Previous job before that one I came down with Mononucleosis (too much kissing the girlfriends at the time, think I had at least four at same time) and they had a no sick time policy so I was fired for being sick. Doctors note be damned.

Second paragraph pertains because many Republican pro business thieves on here say sick time was replaced with PTO (Personal Time Off), even that was not allowed as you can see.

 

[FuzzyBee]

Long Island New York, Watson Foods was that place. Previous job before that one I came down with Mononucleosis (too much kissing the girlfriends at the time, think I had at least four at same time) and they had a no sick time policy so I was fired for being sick. Doctors note be damned.

Wow. What a stud you must have been.

I guess if you can't tell the truth, just make stuff up.

 

[FuzzyBee]

Second paragraph pertains because many Republican pro business thieves on here say sick time was replaced with PTO (Personal Time Off), even that was not allowed as you can see.

Since you offer no further facts, I'm going to have to call BS on this part. Of course, you probably think that you should be able to ask for time off the day you want it, just like you probably think you should be able to install unauthorized software on state computers...

 

[dmcowen674]

Wow. What a stud you must have been.

I guess if you can't tell the truth, just make stuff up.

Jealous much :biggrin:

 

[Engineer]

Do you have "vacation" days, or "PTO" days?

Not yet. I have to wait 1 year to get my 5 vacation days. There are no separate sick days.

Oh, and that's not what he said (when I quote). Nothing about "vacation" days. If people have to save their vacation time for "sick time" then there is not point to calling it vacation. Of course, that's where the term PTO came from so companies can get rid of sick time altogether. Of course, by not having sick days, I'm going to go into work if sick (assuming that I can). When I did have sick days (last job), I had only used them one time in 6 years (that was for double hernia surgery).

I wonder if the law forces sick time even for those that "abuse" the system. I'm sure there will be those that use the time as soon as they get it so they get a "FREE" day off (unless a doctor's excuse is needed)?

 

[JSt0rm]

It's called Long Term Disability & Short Term Disability

most legitimate places have it.

So a company that cant afford that or wont provide that is somehow not legitimate? We dump the entire medical problem on our businesses and then wonder why we are not competing.

Anyone who is working an hourly job isnt getting that. They arent important though. If they were they would have a better job. Right?

 

[Engineer]

So a company that cant afford that or wont provide that is somehow not legitimate? We dump the entire medical problem on our businesses and then wonder why we are not competing.

Anyone who is working an hourly job isnt getting that. They arent important though. If they were they would have a better job. Right?

I was just thinking that. My current employer is the first one that I've had in some time that didn't provide either. I guess that small business like this one (System Integrator and Engineering Services - 9 employees) are not legit. On the flip side, I get FREE medical insurance (for only me - have to pay FULL price for wife/kids so they are on her policy).

After pay raise and medical, making about $11,000 more than last job, short/long term disability or not.

 

[FuzzyBee]

Jealous much :biggrin:

In no way am I jealous of you.

 

[Thump553]

ROFLMAO!

I'm sure businesses are lining up to move into Connecticut. This ought to be a great jobs creator.

CIGNA (insurance) announced yesterday they are moving their headquarters from Philadelphia to a suburb of Hartford. Expected to bring 200+ jobs, 100 million to the local economy.

Must be hard being a post turtle.