This Is A Huge Problem And Something Needs To Be Done

[Play Care]

I DO believe there should be sick time for every job. I believe ANY PERSON who needs it should be able to take it WITHOUT fear of losing their job. I don't think it should be a parent issue - there are people who may not have children but are caring for family members who are ill, etc.

I think our family leave policies are SHAMEFUL.

I DO think the day is coming where those of us who enforce our illness policy will lose out on clients who will go to providers who are more lax.

That said, I'm so sick of laws and legislation that do NOTHING except cause unnecessary stress. They will pass a law saying employers need to provide time, but no substance to back up the law. *technically* you have the time, but heaven forbid you use it

[WImom]

This is what should change

Here is how I see it. Employers need to come up with a way of communicating.

Parents should not have to fear losing there job because they are taking care of an ill child

Also, providers and parents need to be more accountable. I am not saying jail a parent or provider either.

I am saying how can DHS help the new provider with this. How can our local clinics and other parent resources help parents see this. How can we make it part of a parent interview question- from childcare resource and referral. How can we bring about an awareness of the problem. How can we make it more taboo than it already is. Or maybe an explanation of scenario might spell it out. Even with all this you are going to get that person that does not care-yeah but at least it is out there in a way that is clear.

Black cat I liked that form that you had that said something about needing an evaluation from a doctor. I think that is an important start in accountability. It says hey, take your kid in and don't come back until I know from a doctor what is going on. But it also says that you have the right to turn around and say you cannot come here because you are still putting others at risk.

I spoke with a doctor who said that when they fill out a doctors note, they do so but only state a minimum amount of time that a parent should be away from work. You see that is not always enough time to avoid spreading germs. The doctor is considering the employer and parent relationship. Not the daycare parent relationship.

I agree - if all employers were required to have sick days available to parents they may be better keeping kids home. Also not penalizing them for leaving for a sick child.

[Sugar Magnolia]

I bet this isn't a problem in Europe.

[renodeb]

I agree with others, no law is going to help. Providers need to enforce there own sick policies. For most of my clients my using the dc regs is good enough for them. The few problem parents I have had tend to come around eventually. I have never had anyone leave because of sick policies. (well yet). Each provider needs to discuss sick policies at the interview/enrollment. Our business our rules.
Deb

[Country Kids]

I think employers should let employees build sick time up-8 hours a month or something like that but let them use it hourly if necessary.

My hubby worked for a place that allowed him to use his sick time for the family. If one of our kiddos had a dr. appt/dentist appt./some type of medical appt./pick a sick kid up from school he was allowed to use his sick time with no penalty. He was given 8 hours a month and could use it hourly I believe wish was SO nice. Took a load of stress off of me.

[Blackcat31]

I agree - if all employers were required to have sick days available to parents they may be better keeping kids home. Also not penalizing them for leaving for a sick child.

I had a DCM once that would ask me periodically if I would call into her work and say her child was sick.....

...so she could go home WIHTOUT him and yet not get in trouble with her employer.

This was NOT a minimum wage parent either. She held a masters degree for her position.

So just like DC providers that have issues believing parents about a child's illness (or lack of) how are employers suppose to KNOW that an employee isn't lying about their child being sick and maybe just wanting to take some time off?

I also think that a lot of jobs DO come with PTO time. It seems it is mostly the minimum wage jobs that don't have that but I also believe that minimum wage jobs are suppose to be starting points for people and not jobs in which families raise children with the expectation that, that job will cover them when their child is sick.

For employers who have a majority of minimum wage employers, I think it is simply not feasible for them to supply PTO time too.

[Sugar Magnolia]

I had a DCM once that would ask me periodically if I would call into her work and say her child was sick.....

...so she could go home WIHTOUT him and yet not get in trouble with her employer.

This was NOT a minimum wage parent either. She held a masters degree for her position.

So just like DC providers that have issues believing parents about a child's illness (or lack of) how are employers suppose to KNOW that an employee isn't lying about their child being sick and maybe just wanting to take some time off?

I also think that a lot of jobs DO come with PTO time. It seems it is mostly the minimum wage jobs that don't have that but I also believe that minimum wage jobs are suppose to be starting points for people and not jobs in which families raise children with the expectation that, that job will cover them when their child is sick.

For employers who have a majority of minimum wage employers, I think it is simply not feasible for them to supply PTO time too.

Yikes! That's like ASKING for Karma to pay a visit.