Edit: in NYC, I am an employee
They just expect employees to … not get paid for their regular shifts when they’re sick. How do they not know this is HIGHLY illegal?
For context, I work as a tutor. I usually end up working for small business in the private sector. They do the best they can and I usually am able to email the CEO because the businesses are so small in nature.
All but ONE company (it was a franchise) I have ever worked for has not had a formal sick time system set up for their employees. They literally just expect tutors to reschedule sessions for when they are well enough to work instead of following labor laws. While I’m happy to reschedule individual sessions without claiming sick time, I make an exception when it comes to teaching classes, which I have done at every one of these companies. The classes can’t be rescheduled and I have to work with my supervisor to find a substitute – which means I am absolutely using my sick time and getting paid regardless.
I have been the sole cause of getting companies to set up the sick time systems they are legally required to have. Today, when I asked how to request for sick time, one of my bosses tried to tell me I was an independent contractor. The boss who hired me quickly corrected her…but this woman has referred me to many trainings, has observed me teaching classes, and given me notes on how to do my job – all of which would have been entirely illegal if I was an independent contractor.
How can companies – the entities the laws apply to – be so absolutely ignorant about labor laws?? I can’t wait to start my own tutoring company someday soon and operate to the full letter of the law. I’ll get top talent just by not exploiting my employees and honoring their fucking rights.
It’s not hard! It’s all public information! I really like the company I’m working for and understand it’s a small business, but I am struggling with whether or not to report them to the state right now. Such absolute bullshit, every time, at every damn company. I just want to help the kids and have my rights!!!