I am a part time worker and would like to know legally do I have to be paid if I have to take time off for sickness for more than a week? I do not want to lose my job.

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Originally Posted by Bubbles2222345

I am a part time worker and would like to know legally do i have to be paid if i have to take time off for sickness for more than a week?. I do not want to lose my job.

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Probibly no... if it's a small employer they don't have to give you sick leave... if you are part time you aren't going to have the same sick leave as someone who works full time if they do offer it... and if you take more time off than you have sick leave than you are given or have accrued... then yes they can terminate you.

I've been at my job for approaching 20 years... if I took three unpaid days (because I had no sick leave or vacation left) and even though I am in a Union... I could be fired for that alone.

Also keep in mind... as a part time worker, you are most likely an AT-WILL employee... and they don't even need a reason to terminate you.

Part timers rarely get benefits like sick leave or STD. Part timers generally only get paid for the time they clock in. You would need to check company policy, but it is rare.

If you have to take some extended time off, you need to clear it with your boss.

I think I asked this in the wrong way. I meant if I am signed off by a doctor with a signed document saying I need to take time off because I cannot work as if I have a medical condition that needs surgery or treatment, surely they cannot fire me?? I might need an operation? Or I might break a leg? I cannot work then can I? What do I do in these circumstances then? My friend had an operation she does the same job as me and had to bring a sick certificate in each week or so, in all she had six weeks off?? I need to know the correct information in case I get really sick and have to be off. Surely they cannot sack me?. Perhaps you mistook what I meant. Could anyone advise again please. Thanks.

No... that does NOT change the circumstances at all. They still have the right to get rid of you for almost any reason at all.

SO get over it... and put your resumes out to find a new job elsewhere... you aren't getting that one back. And collect your unemployment benefits until then.

Because #1. If they are that quick to get rid of people its not that great of a place to be...

And/or #2. They weren't as impressed with your performance as you thought they were...

In either case... there are better places to be.

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Originally Posted by Bubbles2222345

i cannot work as if i have a medical condition that needs surgery or treatment, surely they cannot fire me??.

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First, this is a matter of company policy and local law. So without knowing the company policy or where you are located its hard to answer. But usually part time workers have little or no protection. On the other hand, if you have a co-worker where they extended her job while incapacitated, there is precedence so maybe there is company policy. You would have to check with your HR dept about that.

Have you got any other information on this subject Scott? I cannot understand in the circumstances I have described above why my friend got paid then? How come? Im being told I won't get paid if I have a longer term illness or I require surgery? Thank you.

Just read your response Scott thanks.

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Originally Posted by Bubbles2222345

Have you got any other information on this subject Scott?, i cannot understand in the circumstances i have described above why my friend got paid then?. How come?. Im being told i wont get paid if i have a longer term illness or i require surgery?. Thank you.

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Did you friend get paid or just not fired? These are two very different things. Again, P/T workers rarely get benefits like paid time off. But your company policy may be different. Was she hurt on the job? That could be a factor as well.

There is also the possibility that she is such an exceptional worker, her bosses didn't want to lose her so covered for her.

While some countries ( did not say where) have different workers law, in the US, it is often the company you work for and their work rules, Some will have specific "leave" or time off rules, for that, often you have to work there for 3 months or 6 months or even a year to qualify for some. Others require you to use vacation time for illness if you take off.

The issue with part time people, they almost never get any benefits, like vacation pay, sick pay, and others.

So only your HR department for where you work will know the answer to your question.

Normally if you are a good worker and will not be gone too long, they may either hold a position or rehire you when you return.

Thank you both for your answers. My friend had time off for an operation, had to give some sort of sick note or signed off note from somewhere presumably her doctor and she got money. Maybe it was not the company who paid her but she had to provide certificates? They mentioned you have so many weeks or months before they stop paying you. I heard my boss murmuring about someone else in this vein the other day.

Bottom line; talk to HR and find out what the sick leave policy is for part timers.

Thank you Everyone.