I can't believe what co-worker just told me

[luvwinnie]

Several years ago she had knee surgery and our former boss had computer tech bring a computer to her home so she could work from there...and then CHARGED HER FOR SICK TIME!!!! What???? I think I really would have quit. There is no way I'd be able to put with that. She worked while at home!

 

[OceanAnnie]

That's very bad. She should've asked him if the computer and set up were a gift. And if he was expecting her work to be a gift too.

 

[Mysteria]

Several years ago she had knee surgery and our former boss had computer tech bring a computer to her home so she could work from there...and then CHARGED HER FOR SICK TIME!!!! What???? I think I really would have quit. There is no way I'd be able to put with that. She worked while at home!

I would have reported it. I'm new to the US and not familiar with the labor laws but that can't be legal, can it?

Myst

 

[ChibiJones]

Is it possible that maybe she didn't work a full day while home recovering or took part of a day off to go to the doctor for a follow-up?

Since it was several years ago, her memory of it might not be as accurate as it was at the time. There might have been legitimate sick time that she used, but doesn't remember.

 

[luvwinnie]

Well, according to the conversation he charged her FULL days every day (we don't have partial days). Knowing her, she did work full days, at least most of them.

 

[tmt martins]

I was hurt while on vacation 1 year and was on DISIB.for a long time they asked me to start doing small stuff at home and soforth so I called HR and boy did it hit the fan.My comp.can't even let you do anywork until doc.release happens.
Then when I went back they tried to get me to do light duty but I was able to do full.I found out the reason was even light duty is concidered off and they still didn't have to pay the INS. still picks it up.
My doc. released me and they had to take me back.

 

[Chicago526]

I would have reported it. I'm new to the US and not familiar with the labor laws but that can't be legal, can it?

Myst

Labor laws in the us aren't very tough when it comes to sick time or vacation time. Companies are not required to offer ANY paid vacation or sick time at all. Companies over a certain size must give un-paid time off for family medical emergencies (illness, birth or adoption) for up to 12 weeks. Other than that, they don't have to let you have any time off at all.

What the OP's company did was un-ethical, but I don't think it was illegal, not the way I understand the law, anyway.

 

[ChibiJones]

Well, according to the conversation he charged her FULL days every day (we don't have partial days). Knowing her, she did work full days, at least most of them.

Did this particular former boss have a reputation for being a jerk and/or idiot? I've had a few winners in the past too.

 

[luvwinnie]

He was known for being strict, but I always thought of him as FAIR....guess not!

 

[gshanny]

My stepmom was going through chemo and had to leave early or stay home some days, BUT she made up every hour, many times on the weekends. They wrote her up and made her sign it that she missed all this work and it went in her permanent file.

 

[Mysteria]

Labor laws in the us aren't very tough when it comes to sick time or vacation time. Companies are not required to offer ANY paid vacation or sick time at all. Companies over a certain size must give un-paid time off for family medical emergencies (illness, birth or adoption) for up to 12 weeks. Other than that, they don't have to let you have any time off at all.

What the OP's company did was un-ethical, but I don't think it was illegal, not the way I understand the law, anyway.

Thanks for clarifying. I knew labor laws weren't as strict here but I didn't realize they were that bad. Wow!

Myst

 

[luvwinnie]

My stepmom was going through chemo and had to leave early or stay home some days, BUT she made up every hour, many times on the weekends. They wrote her up and made her sign it that she missed all this work and it went in her permanent file.

I couldn't work for someone like that.

 

[Chicago526]

Thanks for clarifying. I knew labor laws weren't as strict here but I didn't realize they were that bad. Wow!

Myst

Most employers DO offer sick and/or vacation time as a benifit of employment, but usually only to full time workers, and often it's not very much compared to Canada and Western Europe, and as I stated, it is not required by law.

My own company offers two weeks paid vacation to any employee (full time) that has been with the company for 4 years or less. 5 to 10 years gets 3 weeks vacation, and 10 or more get 4 weeks vacation. This is highly unusual for American companies, however. Most offer about 2 to 3 weeks. All employees at my company get 12 sick days per year, which we can bank if we don't use them all. I hardly get sick, so I have over 60 sick days saved up I can use if I have a major illness, or I can also use it for paid maternity leave.

My husbands company, by contrast, is not as generous. He gets two weeks UN-PAID vacation time per year until 3 years of employment. Then he gets 1 week paid and one week un-paid starting at 4 years. He'll eventually get more time, but I'm not sure when. He gets 5 days UN-PAID sick time per year, and that cannot be banked.