You are here: Home Work Issues Work: Time Off ... How To Maximize ... Do I Take Sick Leave or ...
Information about all aspects of finances affected by a serious health condition. Includes income sources such as work, investments, and private and government disability programs, and expenses such as medical bills, and how to deal with financial problems.
Information about all aspects of health care from choosing a doctor and treatment, staying safe in a hospital, to end of life care. Includes how to obtain, choose and maximize health insurance policies.
Answers to your practical questions such as how to travel safely despite your health condition, how to avoid getting infected by a pet, and what to say or not say to an insurance company.

How To Maximize Your Benefits If You Need Time Off For Health Reasons

Do I Take Sick Leave or Vacation Time First?

Next » « Previous

2/7

Think of Sick Leave and Vacation programs as extension of your pay check. Generally:

  • You receive both full pay and your normal benefits during these periods.
  • There is no question whether to hold your job for you. The risk is very slight that an employer would even think of taking away your job if you take vacation or sick leave.

Sick leave is the first benefit to use when taking time off for a medical condition -- unless it means telling your employer about your condition before you want to.

  • Your salary continues.
  • Your benefits continue.
  • Sick leave is not vested: if you leave the company, you usually don't get compensated for the time.
  • You generally can't carry sick leave from year to year so you lose it if you don't use it.

Postpone using vacation for medical reasons unless absolutely necessary.

  • Your vacation time is vested so you are entitled to be compensated for it even if you don't return to work.
  • However, some employers may require you use it after sick leave is used up.

If you need more time than you're entitled to, ask co-workers if they will give you some of their vacation time. It's little cost to them and enormous benefit to you.


Please share how this information is useful to you. 0 Comments

 

Post a Comment Have something to add to this topic? Contact Us.

Characters remaining:

  • Allowed markup: <a> <i> <b> <em> <u> <s> <strong> <code> <pre> <p>
    All other tags will be stripped.