Sick day? What is this “sick day”? I’m a corporate employee and have been for years. What I receive is Paid Time Off. I can earn up to 160 hours per year, with additional time granted for public holidays (Christmas, New Year’s, etc.)
Call in sick? One less day available. Contract COVID and need to be out a week or more? Need time off like to convalesce a dying parent? Too bad. Adios vacation.
Yes, I’m aware there are plenty of people such military personnel, the self employed, etc. who do not receive paid time off. My point is that “sick days” have become a thing of the past.
I work in Europe. I have 26 days of PTO per year (=208 hours) and 11 public holidays. But when I'm sick and I'm on sick leave, I don't lose my PTO, these are two different things. When I'm sick, I can't work. When I take PTO, I go on holidays. These two shouldn't be confused, it's not good for both physical and mental health.
On the other hand, I probably earn less than you (6200 EUR/month after paying all taxes, i.e. ca. 6500 USD). But I very much prefer it stays that way.
