Sick Leave

[terrychris]

How many before you get a warning letter about attendance.

[Ijustwannateach]

I believe there is a government entitlement by labour law for sick leave- as long as you are communicating properly you shouldn't be able to lose your job over a reasonable amount; though it may mean that raises, contract non-renewal with corresponding severance, etc. may be considered.

[Scott]

Over the years on this forum there have been varying reports of the number of days of sick leave granted, Some posters have reported getting none--but I would guess these are not regular schools. I believe I recall someone reporting 5 days.

Where I work, we get 10 days. You need a medical certificate from a first class medical facility or a gov't hospital or you may get your salary cut. Employees with extenuating circumstances are occasionally granted more, for example if they are hospitalized for a longer period of time.

[otherstuff1957]

The Thai Labor Laws state that employees are entitled to up to 30 sick days per year, though you need a note from a doctor if you miss 3 or more consecutive days.

This is one of them most widely ignored laws in Thailand.

[Scott]

Most schools use the excuse that the school year is not 12 months for cutting the number of days.

[sirchai]

I had an accident in September, when a speeding Pick Up truck, doing a red light hit mine very hard that I had many broken bones, serious injuries at my spine etc.on my way to work.

Couldn't go to school for 6 weeks, but the four weeks October break were between. The head <deleted> wanted to cancel my contract, but she couldn't as I'm protected under Thai labour laws.Would I have caused the accident, I'd be out.

We've got 10 days of sick leave. It should be part of your contract how many days you're allowed to be sick.

Edited February 18, 2012 by sirchai

[mogandave]

I think Thai labor law mandates 30 days a year for full time workers.

[Scott]

A post with a direct link to another commercial site has been removed.

Please don't post direct links. It is against forum rules.

[Loaded]

I had an accident in September, when a speeding Pick Up truck, doing a red light hit mine very hard that I had many broken bones, serious injuries at my spine etc.on my way to work.

Couldn't go to school for 6 weeks, but the four weeks October break were between. The head <deleted> wanted to cancel my contract, but she couldn't as I'm protected under Thai labour laws.Would I have caused the accident, I'd be out.

We've got 10 days of sick leave. It should be part of your contract how many days you're allowed to be sick.

In a situation like this, the school has to pay your salary while you aren't working and the salary of your replacement. IE they are financially punished for your accident. I think the school views you as the '<deleted>'. However, as otherstuff posted in post #4 labour law allows 30 days sick leave. Absences over 3 days require a doctor's note.

[sirchai]

There was neither a replacement, nor were they trying to ask for my salary from the insurance company, as somebody else had caused the accident, having # one insurance.Employers in almost all other countries would have done that.

Note: Four weeks October break were between the period of six weeks being absent.

As stated before, Thai labour law protected me from loosing my job. Not the director wanted to cancel my contract, he came to visit me twice, "<deleted>" ( I know a very unusual name) was trying to do so.

When you've signed a contract having ten days of sick leave, the contract overwrites the actual labour law. Agencies are much worse, three days sick leave, deduction of your full salary when absent longer.

Loaded, Jay jenn jenn

Edited February 19, 2012 by sirchai

[talk2sam]

Finally it is down to the relationship between you and the management..if they see you as a hard working dude..they will overlook certain things,but if you are a c**t then an excuse to lay you off..You know they will always find an excuse...You may never know with 'em.

[Loaded]

When you've signed a contract having ten days of sick leave, the contract overwrites the actual labour law. Agencies are much worse, three days sick leave, deduction of your full salary when absent longer.

Apologies if my words came across as hot hearted. The two weeks there were classes and you were absent, I assume someone covered your classes. Who covered the cost of this?

I believe labour law overwrites any employment contract. There would be no point in having laws if an individual contract could usurp them.

Edited February 19, 2012 by Loaded

[sirchai]

When you've signed a contract having ten days of sick leave, the contract overwrites the actual labour law. Agencies are much worse, three days sick leave, deduction of your full salary when absent longer.

Apologies if my words came across as hot hearted. The two weeks there were classes and you were absent, I assume someone covered your classes. Who covered the cost of this?

I believe labour law overwrites any employment contract. There would be no point in having laws if an individual contract could usurp them.

Yep, someone had covered my classes. My school paid my salary without arguing. It would be nice to find out if Thai labour laws really overwrite a contract made by a government school.

. Guess many people know that agencies' policies aren't always ":legal", but how many people would go to fight for their rights?

I think it all comes back to how and who you are, working for a government school.Very similar in doing any other job on this planet, if you can't do it, you shouldn't do it......wish all guys teaching out there in this country a good week.....

Edited February 19, 2012 by sirchai

[somchaismith]

I think you'll find that most "agencies" are actually language schools. Language school employees are usually paid per job, i.e., daily or by the hour or period over the duration of the 'job', therefore they are not covered by the same labour law rights as a full-time employee would be. I think you'll find that whatever is written in your emloyee/employer contract will apply. If it says unpaid sickdays, then unpaid sick days it is.

Edited February 19, 2012 by somchaismith

[Ijustwannateach]

I would also like to point out that foreigners typically don't take the OTHER types of leave days that are typically- I *believe* by law, or at least by very strong convention- granted Thais as 'personal days', including a fair number for weddings, funerals, and other family- and/or associate-related events. The Thais *do* take them, even though they usually take fewer sick days overall.

I have pointed out on our last, lengthy thread on this issue that it only makes sense to give foreigners more sick leave- whether by law or by courtesy- because we are much more likely, especially in the first 3 years or so, to develop illnesses that we have not been accustomed to dealing with (at the very least new allergies and/or getting our systems used to the new bacteria for colds and stomach bugs). It makes even more sense to consider leniency with teachers, who are often exposed to large numbers of people in a close setting who sometimes tend to get sick all at once.

Now, there are teachers who will abuse the system, but it makes more sense to let peer pressure do the hard work first if possible, rather than using this as a reason to take benefits away from all employees.

Teachers should also do their best to, well, do their best. Don't take sick leave without need, and if it's something that is lingering but probably no longer contagious, at least try to get in and teach the classes you have even if you don't stay at school all day. Frequently I've found it helps if there's a nurse's room to go in, make it clear that you're sick and you'll be teaching as much as possible, and then go sleep in the nurse's room between class periods.