Tldr; I have 60h+ of sick time for a part time local pizza chain(~30 stores not mom n pop). They refuse to let me use it.
Not sure if this is the forum for this, please let me know where else would be appropriate. This week my manager silently removed me from the schedule after I've been calling in trying to use my accumulated sick time. I've checked NYS laws about sick time (surface level Google) and I read the company policy(ctrl-f “sick”). Neither of which have any verbiage of manager discretion. NYS says a Dr note may be required after 3 consecutive days. I'm not sure if this means consecutive as in MTW, or as in shifts in a row (say Monday night, Thursday night, Wednesday night). Either way, I've never done that. When I call in and say I'm not going to make it in 5 hours, I just don't get paid. My previous manager said “sick time is for when you are scheduled to work and call in” so I tried that and his tune changed to “when you are sick and can't come in.” I've never been asked for a note or anything just blatantly told no, you can't use your sick time. I think this sick time accumulation was the result of some law passed, and I don't think anyone who doesn't check their online pay stub even knows they are accumulating it. I wouldn't be surprised at all if the owner told the managers to keep it hush hush so he didn't have to pay for time he isn't getting labor for. The same owner who when the laws changed to make $15 minimum wage, sold a low performing store so he'd be under the limit for what is considered a “fast food chain.” This allows him to match the very slow rise of the minimum wage($11-12.50-13.20 in 3 years I've worked there, and only because it was the minimum wage he could give) instead of straight to 15 a few years ago.
All that being said, is there anything I can do? Is this illegal at all or just shady? I am not attached to the job anymore, I am working in my degree field now, but wanted to explore options without leaving hundreds of dollars in sick pay behind.