Do Americans not get sick leave?? What’s your sick leave policy?

[Youngandfree]

Just that really and posting here for traffic? I’m forever seeing posts on Facebook etc from ppl in the US (and actually sometimes uk) about how they are sick all week and so they have no pay from work?? Surely if under a permanent contract then you have sick leave allowance, I can understand in some jobs (0 hour contracts etc). Genuinely interested, not criticizing! I have known ppl in jobs to be off for months at a time with back problems/stress etc and they have been paid. What’s your Sick leave policy?
Mine is as follows:
For an ordinary illness, a teacher has access to 183 days of paid sick leave in a rolling four year period. This is subject to a further limit of 92 days of full pay in any single twelve month period. After 92 days full pay sick leave in a twelve month period, the teacher will move on to half pay.

SSP is a statutory payment in that it is mandatory. But it isn't paid or refunded by government now (used to be refunded in some circumstances).
It's pretty common for employers in the UK not to pay sick pay. Tbh the money has got to come from somewhere, I'd rather a higher pay package and to take responsibility for my absences.

5 days paid in a 12 month period, then SSP.

Anything else at employers discretion.

When DH (who was a partner there but not involved in this decision) was dying they gave me 6 weeks paid leave after taking my accrued TOIL and holiday, and said my job was there for me when I was ready to go back. I was then signed off sick and had SSP for a couple of weeks.

I'm at IKEA. 6 months full sick pay and permanent health insurance which is basically critical illness cover.

Most small to medium employers only offer SSP.

I think that depends on the sector. I had a job with a charity that only had 6 staff and we got full sick pay. I can't recall how long it lasted, but it was definitely at least 6 weeks, as that was how long I was off following surgery.

Then I went to work for a bigger charity (400 staff) and we got full SP from the start. In the first 6 months you got 6 weeks, then it went up to 6 months full pay, 6 months half pay. Annual leave started at 25 days, then rose to 30 after 5 years service, plus you can "buy" another 5 days. They only offer the legal minimum for maternity leave though.

The organisation has trebled in size now, and new entrants get far less generous terms and conditions. They realised that they were offering much more than others in the same field, and also had to make savings because of government cuts.

@Arkela 20 days paid leave +8 paid public holidays is the legal minimum in the UK.

In my last job I had 3 full months salary sick pay then it went to half salary for 3 months then SSP. When I had an accident my manager actively encouraged me to go on the sick for 3 months and get well rather than struggle every day, as I was and still am on morphine etc.