Originally Posted by
WorldTraveler
It is yours to use only when sick.
It is indeed a negotiated benefit but like insurance only intended to be used when needed. Calling in sick when not needed is like filing an auto insurance claim when your car was never damaged.
When the benefit is negotiated, the company gives us a certain amount of sick leave in our banks based on data of how often the average person is ill over a career. Just like an insurance company calculating a premium based on likelihood of an accident.
They don't calculate the benefit on everyone using all of their bank. if they did, the bank accrual would be significantly lower or the cost to us in other areas of the contract would be higher.
And this then becomes yet another benefit death spiral. I'll betcha that the majority of guys NEVER use all of their sick leave. Therefore when renegotiated, and using your logic, the amount of hours available to us should go down. Unacceptable in my humble opinion. And to paraphrase something that scheduling says all the time when describing how they determine the number of shortcalls on any given day "They are available, why shouldn't I use them?" But more to the point. I agree with the guy who noted that since they are in the bank, they are mine to use. (And it's been a looooong time since I've used 'em all)