Dear Personal Support Workers and Homemakers,
As we have recently entered a new calendar year, our team has received many questions with regards to sick time. Below, we have summarized a variety of frequently asked questions and their responses:
Q: What is the call-in procedure to report being sick?
An employee who is scheduled to work and is unable to do so due to illness or injury, shall notify the Employer at least three (3) hours before the first scheduled visit of the workday. In all instances, employees should attempt to provide as much absence notification as possible when they are going to be absent. Please call 416-635-2860 when calling in sick (as this central line is monitored 24/7) and ensure you are speaking to someone live.
**Please note, if you are sending in a medical note, you must still call 416-635-2860 and report your absence to a live person.
Q: What are banked sick hours?
All full time PSWs and Homemakers are entitled to 51 hours of paid sick time per calendar year, and employees receive this allotment annually in January. Any unused sick time that is left over at the end of the calendar year can will not be lost, and will be banked. Employees can bank a maximum of 200 hours as per the collective agreement. Banked sick hours can be used for medical emergencies such as unexpected injuries, surgery and recovery time.
Q: How many hours of sick time can I be paid out per day?
Paid sick time is determined based on employment status. Full time employees can receive a maximum payment of 7 sick hours per day. Part time employees can receive a maximum payment of 3.5 sick hours per day.
Q: When can the employer ask for a doctor’s note?
As per Circle of Care’s Sick Leave Policy A.03.49., absence from work due to illness in excess of three (3) days must be supported by a doctor’s note. Medical notes are also required if an employee is absent from work due to illness/injury on their scheduled day of work before, during, or after a statutory holiday. Medical notes are required in these instances to qualify for paid sick time and/or statutory holiday pay. If a Supervisor/Manager has reason to suspect an absence is not legitimate (i.e. pattern of unexplained absences) the employee may be required to produce a doctor’s note in order to qualify for paid sick leave even if the absence is less than three (3) days.
Q: Who pays for a doctor’s note?
The cost for a doctor’s note is the sole responsibility of the employee.
Q: Where should I send medical notes to?
Medical notes can be sent via fax to 416-635-1692 or via email to HRDept@circleofcare.com
Q: Can I use sick time for medical appointments?
Sick leave is to be used when you are ill. It is not to be used for arranging medical appointments in advance. Here are some examples of appropriate and inappropriate use of sick time:
| Appropriate Use of Sick Time | Inappropriate Use of Sick Time |
| The employee is ill (flu, cold, headache) | Your child or another family member is ill |
| The employee is injured | Attending medical appointments or dental appointments |
| The employee requires surgery and/or recovery time | Waiting for a repairman or a babysitter |
| The employee is having a medical personal emergency | Heavy snow or very cold/hot weather |
| The employee has been exposed to an infectious disease and is required to adhere to isolation guidelines | Your request for vacation or statutory holiday was not approved |