To the editor:
I worked for 37 years for a large defense contractor in Lynn, Mass. Sick days were never accrued. In the shop, the union people got two to three sick days per year. A promotion to "management" got you 20 sick days per year and you were only expected to use what you needed to when you were actually sick. In addition, you had five personal days and "death-in-family" time to be used only for that purpose.
However many days were left (not used) were erased at the end of each year. These could not be accrued. The company considered sick days as days when a person was actually sick. In cases when someone was seriously ill, the next level of management could approve additional sick days as needed.
In my humble opinion, no one should be able to accrue sick days "not taken" over the years because cities, towns and states are getting bankrupted by this foolishness. Sick time is just that — SICK TIME — to be used only when a person is legitimately sick. It is ludicrous to pay out five- or six-figure checks to people either retiring or leaving a municipal (public) position.
Arthur Brickley
Hampstead, N.H.
