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Utah doesn’t require private employers to provide paid sick leave, and Salt Lake City can’t require it either (Utah Code § 10-8-84.5). We pay sick days anyway, because clinicians who work sick don’t do good work, and because nobody should have to choose between a paycheck and staying home with a fever.

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If you’re sick

  1. Tell the front office and the practice manager before your first session, or as early as you can.
  2. The front office reschedules your clients. You don’t need to contact them, and you shouldn’t from a personal device.
  3. Rest. Come back when you’re well.
If you’re well enough to work but shouldn’t be in the office, telehealth from home is often fine. Talk to Helen about what’s appropriate.

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How sick days are paid

  • There is no separate sick bank and no bank charge. A sick day inside a working week is simply a paid day. You don’t make it up.
  • Salaried staff are paid their full salary for any week in which they work at all, so a sick day or two never reduces pay.
  • A full week out sick is unpaid for salaried staff unless banked days cover it. See Time off and the four-day week.
  • Interns and other hourly staff are paid for hours worked.
Why. Sick days come out of nobody’s bank because the alternative is people working sick. The four-day week and the honesty of the schedule are what keep this sustainable.

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Extended illness

If you’ll be out more than three consecutive working days, tell the practice manager so we can plan client coverage. For longer absences, see Other leave. We may ask for a note from a provider for absences over a week, mostly so we can plan, not to second-guess you. If an illness or condition affects your ability to do the job for longer, see Accommodations.

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Caring for family

Sick days can be used to care for an ill family member. Same process as above.