St. Louis pays big for unused sick time - Story by Jake Wagman, Analysis by Kevin Crowe, ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
The practice of purchasing sick leave from employees was pushed 10 years ago by former Mayor Clarence Harmon, who thought it would have the effect of a buyout, enticing seasoned employees to retire. Harmon could not be reached for comment.
The policy has evolved, however, to discourage workers from calling in sick. Some officials say that's a positive.
'Instead of just a little ache and pain keeping you home, you are more likely to go to work,' said JoAnn Williams, a business representative with the Carpenters' union, which represents about 1,000 city employees.
But the employees who gain the most out of the sick-day payouts are not the animal control or park workers represented by the union. Rather, it's salaried department heads who are near the top of the organizational chart.