Tag Archives: sick leave

Probationary LA County Firefighter Claims Disability Discrimination

A probationary firefighter with the Los Angeles County Fire Department who resigned after just ten months on the job due to stress and harassment, has filed suit against the county claiming disability discrimination. The suit was filed suit in Los Angeles County Superior Court alleging six counts of employment discrimination under state law.

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Ohio Firefighters Sue to Force Arbitration of COVID Sick Leave Grievance

Youngstown Professional Firefighters, IAFF Local 312, has filed suit against the City of Youngstown seeking an order compelling the city to arbitrate implementation of a change to quarantine procedures for COVID 19 exposures. The suit follows three years of labor-management discord resulting in over 45 grievances, and three unfair labor practices charges against the city.

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COVID-Related Cases in the Headlines

Two COVID-related cases are in the Fire Law News. In the Northern Mariana Islands, nine firefighters who were terminated for refusing to get a COVID-19 vaccination, have filed suit claiming the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services and its commissioner, Dennis Mendiola violated their Constitutional rights.

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Illinois Widow Sues Fire Department For Lost Sick Time

The widow of an Illinois firefighter who died of cancer in 2017, is suing the fire department he worked for to recoup the value of the sick leave he was forced to take while incapacitated due to his medical condition. Joliet Fire Department Lieutenant Scott Carroll died on July 29, 2017 of myxoid liposarcoma. He became unable to work and thereafter was forced to use his accrued sick leave.

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St. Paul Investigating Sick Leave Abuse

Officials in St. Paul are investigating whether three officers misused their sick leave, costing the city ten of thousands of dollars. ABC Channel 5 is reporting that the three “are under investigation for allegedly defrauding the department of sick pay.”

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Sick Leave Abuse or Family Medical Leave Act Violation

Today’s burning question: I was a probationary firefighter and used accrued sick and vacation leave to take care of my wife and children, but my employer fired me. Do I have a case? Answer: While as a probationary employee you are an employee at-will, an employer cannot discriminate nor violate statutory rights that are granted by state and federal law.

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Sick Leave and Hypocrisy

Today’s burning question: My fire department has a sick leave policy that states "Members of the Department on sick leave, when not hospitalized, are expected to remain at home, unless authorized by a physician for light duty." There are exceptions for medical care, prescriptions, etc. Is this a legal and supportable policy?

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Tucson Medic Indicted For Sick Leave OT Fraud

A Tucson Fire Department paramedic is facing criminal charges for his role in a sick leave-overtime scam intended to pad his pension. Herbert Oxnam was indicted on four felony counts of fraud for conduct that took place on a series of dates between May and August, 2013.

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