Sick Child and Calling off Work

Updated on February 20, 2012
A.S. asks from Orwigsburg, PA
17 answers

i ladies my 9month old has been sick took him to the drs yesterday. had a fever cough bad stuffed nose..u know.
so i calledoff work today so he didnt have to go to the babysitters with other kids and he can get his right rest at home. now tomorrow were getting snow maybe 4 to 8 in?? and ill have to call in again for being like maybe 2 hrs late!!! now it is my time its the new yr and my days started over again. is there any law out there that wont let me get in trouble for this? can u get in trouble for calling off? i work in the medical billing field and work cant get piled up. and cant aford to lose my job ovver calling off! UGH.what do yas think? she didnt give me a prob. this morning when i called.

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Featured Answers

M.L.

answers from Houston on

You should have a certain amount of time for sick days and family sick days. If you get fired for calling in 2 days to care for a sick child, I don't see how that would be legal.

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P.G.

answers from Dallas on

Have a note from the doc as backup, but re. the snow, probably everyone is going to be late for that one, kids or no kids. If you can do work from home on a kiddo sick-day, especially if the little one is resting, that might be helpful too.

More Answers

L.M.

answers from Dover on

The only law that comes to mind is FLMA which allows for up to 12 weeks per rolling year to care for yourself or a child IF the company has at least 50 employees within a certain mile radius. It can be taken in weeks, days, or hours as long as it is spelled out. Not something you would typically use for a cold/one sick day. It can be used in conjunction w/ your paid leave as well.

As long as it only happens occasionally and doesn't become an attendance issue you should be ok but each employer has their own rules and expectations. What does your employee manual state?

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B.C.

answers from Dallas on

Depends on the regulations and rules where you work. Do you have sick days to use? If not, you might be written up for taking off, but like I said it depends on H.R.'s rules.

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M.H.

answers from Dallas on

I don't think there are any laws regulating companies on how much time off they must give you. You need to check your company's policy on absenteeism as each sets its own rules.

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J.F.

answers from Philadelphia on

I don't think 2 days would get you fired I think if you called out a lot then you could get fired because your job needs you there.

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R.K.

answers from Boston on

I'm sorry but I feel if you live in area that typically gets snow then it is not okay to use snow as an excuse. I used to have a 40 minute drive and I left extra early to make it to work on time during snow storms.
I understand calling out if your child is sick but not because of snow unless there is a blizzard.

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D.W.

answers from Philadelphia on

Can you do any work from home? If your child is sick then you are right not to take him to the babysitters. If you take him to the babysitters the other kids will get sick. I am sure the sitter will understand. If it comes down to it get a note from the pediatrician that you needed to keep him home. Are there other relatives or friends that can help you out? good luck

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S.H.

answers from St. Louis on

Yes, legally you can lose your job over taking off too much. Your employer doesn't care about your sick child. & employers are notorious for knowing the loopholes when it comes to "how" to eliminate an employee.

Totally sucks.

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J.P.

answers from Los Angeles on

Can't you work from home? See if you can work from home next time.

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F.K.

answers from Providence on

Employees that call out sick frequently IE: more then 5 times a year...are clearly not as productive as employees that dont call out sick or dont max out their sick time... The reason does not matter or make it more legitimate if you are calling out for a sick child, or the weather or a sick self. Parents and this includes Single Moms...you have to have plan B and you probably should think of these things prior to having a child unless you are independently wealthy. Honestly.

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S.S.

answers from Cincinnati on

only when you are under a level 3 snow emergency and are not allowed to be out on the road by law

A.F.

answers from Chicago on

I used to work for the federal government and the rules there were that if you called in sick 3 days in a row or the day before or after a holiday, you were required to show a doctor's note.

At my current job, attorneys (I am one) do not have to show any proof, but staff cannot call off without advance notice without a doctor's note (and yes, they have accumulated sick time) without getting a mark against them.

I believe every employer is different! Good luck!

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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Any chance you could find a "pinch hitter" babysitter for just this type of situation? A grandma, neighbor, etc who might be willing to come to your house when your child is sick? Someone looking to make a few bucks occasionally? I know we like to be with our kids when they're sick but multiple days is tough when you have a job.

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B.H.

answers from Detroit on

Do you have sick time? If so I don't see how you can get in trouble using a sick day. It's your time to use. As long as they don't have a rule at your job saying you can only be off "sick" so many times a week or month I don't see why you would lose your job.
Most jobs will have someone who is going to complain about the work. Its usually the person who will be doing your job while your gone. I work with alot of mom's plus my boss is a mom so there is some understanding there.
I hear January and February are the worst times for kids and people getting sick because of the weather. So they should be use to some
call-ins.

A.W.

answers from Kalamazoo on

I don't know, but I would get a note from you son's doctor just in case. They will probably fax or E Fax a note directly to your employer, or where ever you ask them to.

A.S.

answers from Iowa City on

Pennsylvania is an at will employment state which means that you can be fired for any or no reason. Yes you can get in trouble for calling off but usually that only happens if you are calling off frequently or every Monday, etc. The only law that applies to taking time off that I am aware of is FMLA and that isn't usually used until you run out of paid time off (sick days and vacation).

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