Using Sick Day For Snow Storms

[JackandJill]

We are supposedly getting a ton of snow today, and all my families have called to say they are staying home. I am open, I was ready for everyone at 7:15, and only received text messages after 8:00 am saying kids would be staying home.

I offer 4 unpaid sick days each year per child, and almost all families are asking to use one today. Would you allow that? I don't really have any rules regarding closing for snow and using a sick day, but today is a $250 loss if everyone uses their unpaid time. I am on the fence about what to do.

[childcaremom]

Nope. Short answer.

How much notice do you require for a sick day. I would have some rules in place for that. And add that snow days don't count.

[DaveA]

Nope. You're open and they chose not to come.

[CalCare]

What do say about sick days exactly? In the handbook, contract?

[Snowmom]

I used to offer families 2 sick days a year. When I did, I made the stipulation that it MUST be used for an illness, not as an extra vacation day.
They were designed to give family an extra incentive to keep their sick child away from the healthy kids.

[JackandJill]

My handbook says: "Year-round families may take 4 unpaid sick days per year, after 3 months of attendance. The sick days start over on the first of the year. These days do not accumulate, any unused sick time is forfeited at the end of the year. Sick days may not be used for the last two weeks of care or during provider paid time off. Sick days cannot be used on a day a child is sent home from care."

And I have nothing written about snow days, other than the conditions that will cause the daycare to close.

I feel like I should be allowing it because it's not technically against the rules. But like I said, I was up and ready for everyone, and I only received messages at or after everyone's scheduled drop off time, and this will sting a little financially this week.

[Sumshine]

We are supposedly getting a ton of snow today, and all my families have called to say they are staying home. I am open, I was ready for everyone at 7:15, and only received text messages after 8:00 am saying kids would be staying home.

I offer 4 unpaid sick days each year per child, and almost all families are asking to use one today. Would you allow that? I don't really have any rules regarding closing for snow and using a sick day, but today is a $250 loss if everyone uses their unpaid time. I am on the fence about what to do.

Unless your policies specifically state otherwise I would unfortunately just take the day unpaid to not cause any irritations. If it was just 1 family I may pick that battle but since it's multiple I'd let it go especially if they feel based on your polocies they can uae a sick day for this.

I would look into preventing this from happening in the future by changing your policies to only accept the sick day if you are notified the night before child not coming perhaps? It still let's parents utilize them but not on a whim and not without some sort of notice so you can financially/menatlly (to an extent) prepare! It will also prevent parents from using it on a snow day, extra vacation, etc.

I don't do any discount for sick days and any unexpected absences are paid in full for this exact reason. If I did I would be out of a lot of money these last few weeks with sickness going around!

I explain to my family's since sickness is always a short notice thing and no one can plan for it I don't allow for discounting but I do allow for them to schedule (2 weeks in advance) a weeks worth of 1/2 fee vacation and I don't take any paid vacations myself. If I close they don't pay. I also do 1/2 fee holidays! It makes me seem a lot more flexible even if realistically I'm not because I can plan ahead and be ready for any and all discoints"!

The parents think they are getting a great deal and I'm okay with it because my rates allow for me to take a discounted day here or there. I thought about doing paid vacation/holidays with a lower fee but I like it this way because it makes everyone feel like they are "winning" and parents at interviews and the ones who decided to go with me when I first opened seemed to really be interested/pleased with this idea and the fact they are getting (in their eyes) a bit of a discount that they wouldn't get going elsewhere

[jenboo]

Its for a sick day, not a snow day. I would tell the parents just that.

[Sumshine]

My handbook says: "Year-round families may take 4 unpaid sick days per year, after 3 months of attendance. The sick days start over on the first of the year. These days do not accumulate, any unused sick time is forfeited at the end of the year. Sick days may not be used for the last two weeks of care or during provider paid time off. Sick days cannot be used on a day a child is sent home from care."

And I have nothing written about snow days, other than the conditions that will cause the daycare to close.

I feel like I should be allowing it because it's not technically against the rules. But like I said, I was up and ready for everyone, and I only received messages at or after everyone's scheduled drop off time, and this will sting a little financially this week.

As a provider I'd now understand I shouldn't/can't use my sick day for a snow day.

As a parent who had her son in an in home daycare a few months ago I'd be thinking I am able to use my sick day because it doesn't state otherwise and there is no time limits as to when you have to be notified and nothing saying they can't be used as extra vacation, snow day, etc it just states that they can't roll over into the next year and can't be used under a couple of understanable circumstances.

I'd see it like the PTO off at my former job and I can use it for any unexpected circumstances at any time without notice.

[childcaremom]

Its for a sick day, not a snow day. I would tell the parents just that.

And I think the fact that they asked, means that they know it shouldn't be used.

I would just say that the sick days are for illness, not weather related absences.

Then I would revise your policies and state that they are not for weather related absences.

[Play Care]

I'm crotchety today, but for the love of G-d. It specifically says SICK day. It doesn't say personal day, or vacation day.

They are NOT sick.
You are open.
NO, NO, NO.

[childcaremom]

I'm crotchety today, but for the love of G-d. It specifically says SICK day. It doesn't say personal day, or vacation day.

They are NOT sick.
You are open.
NO, NO, NO.

:: Yep, that's how I'm feeling.

[ColorfulSunburst]

YOU give them the right to have 4 unpaid(sick) days. They want to take one. I think they may and can

[daycarediva]

Nope. You're open and they chose not to come.

I used to offer families 2 sick days a year. When I did, I made the stipulation that it MUST be used for an illness, not as an extra vacation day.
They were designed to give family an extra incentive to keep their sick child away from the healthy kids.

I'm crotchety today, but for the love of G-d. It specifically says SICK day. It doesn't say personal day, or vacation day.

They are NOT sick.
You are open.
NO, NO, NO.

SICK DAY. NO. I would add something in to the handbook/contract for future reference, too.

I wouldn't take a $250 hit because parents stayed home when I was open.

[Ariana]

No idea why people even offer free sick days!! They are clearly keeping them home because they don't have to pay. If they didn't think they could use the sick day they would have brought them. Guaranteed!

I would allow them to use it. You will get the money back eventually when they are sick.