Loss of sick time

[minnesotakent]

Minnesota

I am a school teacher. Our contract requires us to work 8 hour days. The school board approved work hours are 8:00 until 4:00. Our contract also says that the day before a non-working day we can leave after the buses leave. The buses usually leave at 3:15.

A few weeks ago I left for a medical appointment at 2:15 on a Friday. Since I would have been able to leave at 3:15 I think I should only have to use one hour of sick time. The district is claiming I used one hour and forty-five minutes of sick time.

Another factor to consider is that the district only had to pay for one hour of subsitute teacher time.

It appears to me that the contract contradicts itself. Who is legally correct in this situation?

 

[Beth3]

I doubt anybody here can say. This is not a matter of employment law; it is a matter of contract interpretation. If the contract is vague or silent on this subject, then the matter is entirely up for grabs and your employer can very likely interpret it as they please until the matter is negotiated.

 

[ebmc]

Minnesota

I am a school teacher. Our contract requires us to work 8 hour days. The school board approved work hours are 8:00 until 4:00. Our contract also says that the day before a non-working day we can leave after the buses leave. The buses usually leave at 3:15.

A few weeks ago I left for a medical appointment at 2:15 on a Friday. Since I would have been able to leave at 3:15 I think I should only have to use one hour of sick time. The district is claiming I used one hour and forty-five minutes of sick time.

Another factor to consider is that the district only had to pay for one hour of subsitute teacher time.

It appears to me that the contract contradicts itself. Who is legally correct in this situation?

I guess it depends on if you get paid until 4 pm even though you are leaving at 3:15. If you get paid for the full 8 hours, then I would think that they can dock you until 4 pm, instead of 3:15.