It’s here! I’ve been looking forward to a special trip for almost 2 years and it’s finally here. Thinking about what has enabled me to take this kind of time off made me realize how many questions we get about managing time off, like sick leave, holidays, vacation and PTO. It almost goes without saying that it’s important to have policies and practices that work for both employees and the business, but I feel like I need to say it.
Time off is crucial for keeping everyone healthy, happy and productive. Some of that time may be paid, some unpaid; some is required, and some is optional. Me being me, I want to compare it to food, so let’s compare it to a Meat and Three or maybe a Bento Box.
In California and many other places around the United States, sick leave is the meat. Why? It’s required and usually paid. All employees are entitled to sick leave and may use it for a variety of reasons. As the employer, you have some options you may bake in to your policy. We’re happy to talk through those with you. As always clear communication about sick leave policies ensures everyone knows their rights and feels comfortable taking the time they need to get better. It also means that employers can feel confident when an employee has used all the time that s/he is entitled to.
What else is on the plate?
Holidays! We love holidays, especially because the employer gets to choose how many to observe, how (if?) employees will get paid and can update their list as things change.
Vacation time takes up a big part of the plate. We all know that vacations give all of us a chance to take longer breaks, travel, and pursue personal interests. A balanced life supports increased job satisfaction and loyalty. Of course, there’s a catch or two. One, you get to decide if you want to let people go in the negative on vacation time. That’s just like extending a loan, which has pros and cons. Second, it’s important to keep an eye on the team to make sure everyone is taking the time they need when they need it; I have no admiration for the employee who never takes a day off.
What about PTO? It can be really filling, like putting ham in the macaroni and cheese. It kind of takes over the plate, acting a little like sick leave and a little like vacation.
Back to the Bento Box or the Meat and Three. You know how they come with that little something extra? The cornbread or the pickled vegetables? Everyone gets them, only some of us partake? To me that’s kind of like the extra little time off requirements that we only pay attention to if we need them. Jury duty, bereavement leave, school activities leave, the list goes on.
Let us know if you need help looking at your policies, or would like to hear the story that your employees’ time off balances can tell us.
Au Revoir and see you all in July.
Jonna, Suzanne, Lisha, Lisa, Karen and Linda