[Publib] Getting paid for sick leave

[PJ Capps]

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I'd like to know how many public libraries out there compensate
employees for unused sick time. If employees don't get paid for it when
they leave, does it turn into extra vacation time or something while
they are employed? I know the main argument is that it costs too much
money to pay out this sick time, but are there any other reasons for not
compensating employees for being good employees? Has anyone heard of a
great alternative to paying out sick time? Please, post your comments to
PUBLIB - not to me directly. Thanks!  

Hi everyone:

As a library director, let me wade in on the issue of cashing in sick time.

I know some libraries have combined vacation and sick leave into something
called "paid time off". This does guarantee that you get paid for every
single hour. However, when I've questioned people about the total number of
days they get, I certainly wouldn't trade. 

Our library gives employees a day of vacation and a day of sick leave for
each month they work. (Vacation equals two weeks and two personal
days.)Vacation accrues more rapidly as you are here longer. Accounts are
kept separate and each has a cap when you stop accruing until you use some
of what you have. Vacation is paid when you leave. Sick leave is not. 

Our premise is that vacation is an entitlement, but sick leave is given to
be used when and *if* needed. We have never chastised anyone for using their
sick leave, but we give ample holiday and vacation time and sick leave is
not vacation.

Just how we do it here.