“My story is not a reflection on my workplace, simply on the financial conditions of this sector.
Since reopening in the ongoing COVID 19 pandemic, staff at my work have been using our vacation days when we are ill. We only receive 4 paid sick days a year, which for someone working with young children does not seem like much. Now with COVID protocols and having to stay home, get a test, and wait for results at the first sign of symptoms, we have been using vacation days.
However, we no longer receive our full allotment of vacation days and instead receive them and can use them as we earn them. When we run out of vacation days we have to take unpaid days, even though this testing is required and we are putting ourselves at risk each day. If we were to come down with COVID and we have no vacation time available we will be put on EI.
This is my workplace doing their best. They want to ensure we can be paid. However, the funds just simply are not there.
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Having access to paid sick and emergency leave days was one of the biggest concerns ECEs and early years staff expressed in returning to work during COVID. We know this issue also affects families, who are staying home with children who are sick, often still paying child care fees. Everyone deserves the right to stay home when they are unwell and not worry about the financial implications. This is why we work with allies like Decent Work and Health Network. This is why Ontario needs to be part of a national child care system, with decent work at the core.
Share your story. Sign the petition. Rise up for child care. https://www.childcareontario.org/risingup