JAVIER: Detailing Cars While Recovering from Major Surgery
Sept. 28, 2016
Paid Sick Leave Story
"The first day of work after the surgery I was very tired and fatigued but I had no choice—I needed to go back to work, I needed that pay check at the end of the week."
Javier had a kidney transplant in 2010, so he needs to take medicine regularly. An organization in town assists Javier with the money for his medication, and he has to pick it up from the organization on a regular basis during normal business hours. He also has follow-up visits with his doctor every three to four months to monitor his kidney transplant.
Earlier this year Javier needed a stent as one of his arteries had a blockage. Surgery was the only solution. This was required immediately, and as a result, he had to take a week off of work to prepare for surgery without much notice.
Javier is lucky—his boss told him that his job was safe. However, like most employees, Javier does not get paid during the time he has to take off. He is the primary breadwinner in the family, so any income lost causes his family extreme stress.
Because Javier could not afford to take much time off without pay, he returned to his job the following Monday after his surgery.
"The first day of work after the surgery I was very tired and fatigued but I had no choice—I needed to go back to work, I needed that pay check at the end of the week."
Javier will need to take medicine for the rest of his life, along with routine doctors visits every couple of months. He worries about the lost income from these days off, and also worries that his employer may lose patience with his requests for time off.