ARTICLE 19 - SICK AND PERSONAL LEAVE
Q: Will the Company request a sick note if you are booked off for an entire 5 day pairing? Why is this a request when doctors are in strong opposition for a sick note when someone has a cold?
A: The language states that they may ask for a sick note. It is provided in the Labour Code that employers are able to ask for information when you use the dates for personal leave. However, we don’t forsee them asking for these regularly. If they do ask then, yes, you do have to provide a note. Unfortunately, this is something that is in the Labour Code and we would have to abide by that.
Q: What if we are dealing with mental illness and asked by crew scheduling if it an injury/sickness or a personal leave? It could be traumatic to have to provide documentation 15 days after returning to work: isn’t agreeing to this allowing them to push the FOIP envelope?
A: If you're sick, you're sick - a personal day is meant to deal with personal matters like taking your kid to parent teacher day - a sick day is a sick day, a mental illness is in the same category as any other sick day. You would tell them you're sick, you do not have to tell your employer what you're sick with, only that you're sick and can't come to work. Additionally, your doctor only has to confirm you were too sick to work, not what you were sick with or what made you not be able to get to work. If you are a person who is dealing with a chronic illness or disability, whether mental or physical illness, that may qualify you for an accommodation - if you think it's going to cause you a lot of sick time, please contact your Base VP.
Q: For “1-dayers” who can complete their full 80 credit hours in under 15 days, will they never qualify for more sick days?
A: If you’re working, you’re active and accruing sick days as per normal. Normally scheduled days off do not count as ‘inactive’.
Q: Can sick time bank only be used for a scheduled pairing? What about pick ups/trades as well?
A: Only time sick bank can’t be used is if you pick up Open Time and then call in sick – you won’t be deducted sick time, but it will be taken off of your schedule – a straight-time pick up or trading, regular sick time rules will apply.
Q: Will we be able to view or have access to view our sick bank days?
A: We asked the company for this in bargaining. They have only committed to seeing if they can provide on pay stubs.
Q: If we have taken our first 5 sick days, and we need a personal day “leave” can it pertain to 19-2.10? Can we take that day “leave” unpaid?
A: If you take 5 paid sick days you are not entitled to any further paid personal days. You would still be able to take up to 2 unpaid personal days at any time.
Q: Will full-time Cabin Crew Members continue to be able to drop down to 50 hours per month providing we stay under 7 sick days?
A: There is no wording in 36-28 Voluntary Pairing Drops that prevents a CCM from dropping pairings.
Q: Is unused sick time paid out?
A: No, sick time will be rolled over to the next year to a maximum of 22 days for full-time and 15 days for part-time.