When you are sick – stay home and call the employee absence line (EARL)
You may be required to provide a medical note for your absence.
Your sick bank is your short-term disability insurance. It provides income for short-term absences and during the long-term disability qualifying period (should you ever need to apply).
You need 86 to 108 days in your sick bank to pay you until long-term disability kicks in. That can take five years to earn. Every time you use your sick bank you decrease your short-term disability fund.
To learn more about your sick time and how it works, see Sick Time – Know the Facts and review the Frequently Asked Questions document.
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How much sick time do I earn?
- You must work 14 hours (regular time) to earn one hour of sick time.
- Full time, permanent employees earn 1.5 days per month of sick time to a maximum of 18 days (135 hours) per year. The maximum allowable accrual is 1,170 hours.
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When to not use sick time:
- For time off to care for children or other loved ones
- When vacation is not approved
- Poor weather
Alternatives to sick time are outlined in your collective agreement.
To learn more, please visit: Leaves and Vacations on Pulse (visit the remote log in page to access outside the network).
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What if my sick bank is empty or low
- If your illness or injury will keep you off work for longer than you have in you sick bank, you can apply for the EI Sickness Benefit. Start your application as soon as possible as it can take approximately 28 days before you receive your first payment. Note:
- EI only covers 55 per cent of your salary (to a maximum amount of $51,000 annually).
- After 20 unpaid days, you are responsible for paying your own benefits, which could be over $400/month.
- If your illness or injury will keep you off work for longer than you have in you sick bank, you can apply for the EI Sickness Benefit. Start your application as soon as possible as it can take approximately 28 days before you receive your first payment. Note:
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What happens to my benefit coverage if I am on an unpaid leave of absence?
- Employer paid benefits stop once you have depleted your leave of absence bank.
- You have the option to continue your benefit coverage by paying the premiums yourself.
- If your time sheet has been coded for a leave of absence greater than 20 days, you will be sent a letter outlining the cost of your benefit premiums and the steps to take if you want to self-pay. This letter can be accessed on MyFHInfo under ‘Notifications’.
- If you do not return the Benefit Costing Letter by the deadline on the form, your benefit coverage will be cancelled.
- Reinstatement of Employer Paid Benefit Coverage will occur once you return to work or begin a return to work plan.
- If you have questions about your benefits, contact Benefits & Employee Information by phone at 604- 520-4420 or email PIB@fraserhealth.ca.
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I've been involved in an ICBC-related motor vehicle accident. How are my benefits impacted?
- If you are off work due to an ICBC-related motor vehicle accident that occurred on or after May 17, 2018, you are not required to repay Long Term Disability if you end up receiving wage loss benefits from ICBC. However, you must still provide Canada Life with information on your ICBC claims.
- Additionally, if you incur Extended Health Care-type of expenses on or after November 9, 2018 due to an ICBC-related Motor Vehicle Accident, do not submit those claims to Pacific Blue Cross under your Extended Health Care plan. Instead, submit your medical expense claims directly to ICBC for payment.
- If this situation applies to you and you have questions, you should contact your Canada Life Case Manager for more information.
Contact Attendance.Support@fraserhealth.ca if you have questions about your sick time or our attendance support mandate.
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