{"id":2821,"date":"2020-07-22T19:39:25","date_gmt":"2020-07-22T19:39:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jacksonwhitelaw.com\/az-labor-employment-law\/?p=2821"},"modified":"2022-07-12T16:24:36","modified_gmt":"2022-07-12T16:24:36","slug":"forced-to-work-when-sick","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jacksonwhitelaw.com\/az-labor-employment-law\/blog\/forced-to-work-when-sick\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Your Boss Force You to Work When You Are Sick?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction<\/h2>\n

Most employees have ventured into the workplace when sick. From a minor cold to an allergy flare-up, it\u2019s not uncommon to continue working while feeling under the weather. However, employees should never feel obligated to work when ill.<\/p>\n

With COVID-19 still a major concern in nearly every state across the U.S., it is more important than ever for employees to understand their rights when it comes to sick leave and time off.<\/p>\n

While some managers may discourage workers from taking sick time due to employee shortages, consider all aspects of the situation before making a decision to stay home or go to work. Going to work sick with a highly-contagious condition like the coronavirus puts coworkers, customers, and others at risk.<\/p>\n

Can a boss ask you to work when you\u2019re sick? Technically, yes. However, you do have the right to ignore their request under certain circumstances.<\/p>\n

Sick Leave Policies<\/h2>\n

As of March 2019, 76 percent of companies have sick leave policies in place allowing employees to take time off to recover from an illness without threat to their job, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Sick leave can take many forms, such as half-days off and more long-term periods of leave extending weeks or even months. A standard sick leave policy will outline whether the time is paid or unpaid, the amount of time available to employees, and whether staff members will need to obtain approval or provide documentation to take sick leave.<\/p>\n

Sick leave, including both paid and unpaid sick leave, is not required by federal law, unless the employee is eligible under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA<\/a>).<\/p>\n

However, paid sick leave is mandated by law in certain states, such as here in Arizona. If the company that you work for does have a sick leave policy in place and you meet all requirements outlined in the policy, then you are legally entitled to time off.<\/p>\n

Company sick leave policies may require an employee to:<\/p>\n