Yes there are ..... but their rate isn't comprised only of their base rate. It's inclusive of their base rate, burdens, administrative costs, home/office/rent expenses, profit, etc. I believe in the above story, we're simply talking this guys direct pay/salary which doesn't cover any additional expenses covered by the City for each hour paid out.
This is all a crock honestly. I mean, more power to him of course, no one is going to turn down more in favor of less. But that doesn't excuse the flawed system. I also find it hard to believe that this Chief literally didn't utilize close to three weeks (on avg) each year of due time. Being the boss (and likely signing his own timesheets), this is probably a situation where he is sitting on a beach in the Caribbean and because he took a call or checked some email - noted it as a work day.
More so, I never understood the idea of paid sick leave (in terms of an accrued value). As a benefit, you are entitled to sick leave = days off of work without penalty while being paid. It's not to serve as a bonus. It's to serve as income protection when necessary. I pay into LTD/STD each month for protection. If I don't injure myself and require those funds - I don't get them back.
I am given paid sick leave but with no cap/restriction. If I am too ill to come to work, I say "I'm sick, not coming to work". I'm still paid. If my employer feels I am too sick too often and I become a liability (cost/benefit) - I would get fired. I am not rewarded for not calling out. The expectation is they pay me handsomely to come to work and provide me income in the rare event I am too ill to make it in. I am paid either way.
