Employees finding subs when off problematic
Requiring someone who’s not feeling well to call around to find their replacement doesn’t seem like the best way to make sure things get covered at work.
Johnny C. Taylor Jr., a human-resources expert, tackles your questions as part of a series for USA TODAY. Taylor is president and CEO of the Society for Human Resource Management, the world’s largest HR professional society.
Questions submitted by readers and Taylor’s answers below have been edited for length and clarity.
Question: I’m an hourly employee. Can my boss require me to find a substitute for days I’m sick or taking a
holiday? — Alison C.
Taylor: You didn’t ask me what I think of the find-your-own-sub policy, but I’m going to answer that question because the policy is problematic for the employer.
First, if you can’t find a replacement, you may show up to work sick and spread your illness.
No one wants that.
Second, if you’re at work but feeling like you really should be at home in bed, just how productive are you going to be?
Requiring someone who’s not feeling well to call around to find their replacement doesn’t seem like the best way to make sure things get covered at work.
Now, to answer your question.
Part of your answer may be in your company’s handbook. If you don’t have a copy, get one from the HR department.
Look to see if your company has a policy stating that employees are re- quired to find someone to substitute for them on sick days or when taking a holiday. If so, then, yes, your boss likely can require you to do so.
However, when it comes to sick days, there may be more to consider. Making you find your replacement when you’re sick could be a violation of the federal Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Americans with Disabilities Act or state sick leave laws.
Under FMLA, some workers are entitled to unpaid sick leave in certain cases, and requiring you to find your sub when you’re out sick could be viewed as stepping over the line.
You’ll want to check with your HR department for more information on this.