Comments on: A very male kind of illness

By: Expat Mum

Expat Mum — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 15:11:54 +0000

BOOW – I have a proposal for you (ooh err). Would you contact me through my profile please.

By: Alasdair

Alasdair — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 11:20:16 +0000

Dylan

At this time, I have a bit over 41 WEEKS of accumulated Sick Time available to me … at an American employer – mostly because, over the years, I’ve only used a few weeks (my diastasis repair had me off for 2 weeks, just by itself) …

My employer still wants an explanation when I’m off sick for 3 or more days, but that’s mostly to ensure that I’m not bringing Ebola into the office as part of my effort to have over 1 year’s worth of sick time accumulated unused …

Are you sure you’re not an MDeity ? They tend to make terrible patients (with a few exceptions (smiles fondly and sincerely at SWMBO)) …

By: Expat Mum

Expat Mum — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 15:39:16 +0000

I personally think you should get sick more often if it makes for this kind of post. I nearly wet myself laughing.
In my one and only corporate job here, we only got two weeks’ vacation (after you’d worked there for 6 months) but 11 sick days. And guess what everyone did – took them all of whether they were sick or not.

By: lisa

lisa — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 01:55:35 +0000

Sorry to hear you’re ill. I hope you feel better soon!

I have something like 30 days of “off” time. This includes national holidays (believe it or not), sick days and vacation time.

So far, I’ve managed to avoid getting sick. I’ve been lucky!

By: Jan

Jan — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 01:00:34 +0000

I’m sorry to hear that you’ve been ill, I hope you’re feeling better now.

And you’re lucky, you at least get a few sick days. Sickness isn’t allowed at all at the company where my hubby works.

It never ceases to amaze me that Americans put up with such crappy amounts of leave and sick time. I know, I know! In the present economic climate, one should be glad one has a job, blah blah.

By: Karen

Karen — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 20:52:41 +0000

Over here in Iceland we are “allowed” 2 paid sick days a month. More than 2 in a row and you need a doctors note.
I rarely take more than three a year, but as you say, it is great to know they are there.

By: Nat

Nat — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 18:40:18 +0000

Five days. That’s unreal. I know that most people don’t take anywhere near that much time off sick – but it would be terrifying to know that the ‘safety net’ wasn’t there. Hope your ‘flu goes soon.

By: Sarah Playle

Sarah Playle — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 15:55:53 +0000

Think yourself lucky you are not “down the pit”, or a stay at home mum. We don’t get personal days either. You northern wuss!!
Hope you are feeling more human soon.
I am enjoying reading your stuff, but I do draw the line at bodily evacuation stories. Really!!!

By: Silverback

Silverback — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 15:18:05 +0000

Yes the whole idea of sick days/personal days in the US has always puzzled me. I guess I was very fortunate with my job in the UK (and assumed every job had the same benefits) where I had 4 weeks holiday from day 1 and I didn’t need a sick note until I’d been off for over a week and the one time I was off for a longer period (almost 3 months) after my bypass surgery, I was paid for all of it.

Of course now I’m retired, I just don’t bother getting sick at all !!

By: Almost American

Almost American — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 13:57:02 +0000

Five days? My DH only gets 2 sick/personal days a year!

OTOH, I get 15 and unused ones carry over to the next year! I had to use 9 my first year in this job – 1 for me and 8 for the kids!