Forced Overtime

[snowball]

Our dept won't allow you to be mandated if you have worked 72 hrs straight. Other than that you're pretty much screwed. The only benefit to being mandated is the OT hours are removed from your total instead of added or being classified as neutral hours.

[hefightsfire99]

The number of hours a firefighter can consecutively work got my curiosity up so I emailed the Department of Labor. Here was their reply:

"Thank you for contacting the U.S. Department of Labor National Contact Center.

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) does not limit the number of hours per day or per week that employees aged 16 years and older can be required to work. Your State Department of Labor may be able to assist you."

[alecshawn1]

Never heard of forced overtime. We have alot of O.T. and everyone wants it.
It goes around very well.
We have guys that work 4 days straight.
Call of sick as soon as possible for a 5 day break afterwards.
I have done it many times.
Here in Ohio, i dont see many guys gettin "forced" We love the O.T.!!

[sfd1992]

We have guys that work 4 days straight.
Call of sick as soon as possible for a 5 day break afterwards.
I have done it many times.

Did you really mean it to come out this way?

[alecshawn1]

Did you really mean it to come out this way?

Work normal 24 hrs and then (2) 24hr. ot shifts back to back. then your norm 24 hour shift....
then call off sick for a 5 day break.
We all do it. That is what sick time is for.
Make alot of $$ and still have the time off.

[sfd1992]

Actually sick time is for when you're "sick". Do people do what you suggest and just call off to get a day off? Yeah. Is it right? That's up to you to decide for yourself, but I wouldn't spout off on the internet about using your sick time just to get a 5 day break.

If you want time off, that's what vacation is for, imo.

[alecshawn1]

Actually sick time is for when you're "sick". Do people do what you suggest and just call off to get a day off? Yeah. Is it right? That's up to you to decide for yourself, but I wouldn't spout off on the internet about using your sick time just to get a 5 day break.

If you want time off, that's what vacation is for, imo.

Look, we all earn sick time. I currently have 1600 hrs.
When i retire, i get paid for 980 of that. The rest is lost. 980 is the max.
So, why retire with more than 980?
The system is set up for "abuse". Besides, calling off sick causes o.t. Which in turn, helps another member make extra cash.
In 15 years on the job the ONLY time i ever called off sick when i was actually sick was 3 times. The birth of my children (not really sick and they allow time off but we use sick time.) and my appendix removed.
We all do it. It is common knowledge. Heck, we can call of 3 days in a row which would be close to 2 weeks off without a doctors excuse.
And even then, Most Docs could care less and sigh you off for a few more days.
Bottom line is this: Goto work when you are ill, Save it for when you need the time off for your sons basketball game!! or the Trip to the beach for a long weekend.

[dday05]

If you call off sick and are see at a function or what not is a fireable offense where we are.

[alecshawn1]

If you call off sick and are see at a function or what not is a fireable offense where we are.

Not an issue. Just because one is too sick to goto work doesnt mean they are too sick to see a game or goto the mall.
There is no one in (The administration) that cares enough to make it an issue.
They cant prove anyone would be "abusing" sick leave.
It has been tried and the admin has failed every time.
One would have to call off like 2 times per month EVERY month before anyone would even notice or care.
Sick time is a negotiated benefit. The City wont touch it.

[alecshawn1]

10 years and I've never called off sick, and I think I've only turned down 2 overtimes. Man I wish they'd force me to work for time and a half. I know I wouldn't complain. By the way, where do you work alecshawn1? I've got 2 brothers and about 25 uncles and cousins working in different departments and every one of them has sick abuse lists. In Philly, if you call out and are seen anywhere but the food store, church or the doctor, you get banged.

Im in Ohio, As for the "getting caught" while off sick. No one wants to ruffle feathers and get caught up in a greivance/lawsuit. The City "Toledo" wont touch it. The Unions up here are too powerful. Like i said, if you are off sick and in say, WalMart, how can anyone prove you werent getting meds? There are a million ways around any silly rule concerning sick time.
We also get 1.99 for O.T. Not time and 1/2. So thats a great thing also.
I average 4 sick days per year. Thats minimal imho. I worked (9 )24 ots last year. Several probably close to 200 hrs of "other O.T." like saftey house,festivals...etc