Changing my sick policy?

Question

I run a home child care. It is my only source of income besides my baby bonus. My husband makes enough to support himself, myself and our daughter, but with another child on the way, I really need this child care. It helps us to save extra money and buy what we need for the new baby.

Right now, at my child care, I do not charge for sick days, which is really stupid of me, as I've discovered lately.

In the last two weeks, one of the kids I have had her tonsils and adenoids removed, so their mother kept both of them home the first week, the second week, I only had one child, then I found out yesterday that I won't have either next week and the week after, I'll only have one of them.

This means that I have missed out on $90 this week, and will miss out on $115 over the next two weeks. In total, I'm missing out on $205. That's money I need to cover my bills, support my daughter, support her kids through the day and help support myself.

So, I want to change my sick policy.

Answer 1

I personally don't mind my child care's sick policy which is if the child is called in as sick the same day or in advance you get $10.00 added to your account (we pay in advance to the daycare) for that day.  

Also my daycare has unlimited vacation days but if your child is out more than three weeks at a time then you must pay a $50.00 registration fee and resign a contract and you must give a two week notice.  If your child is out three months or more than a new physical must be completed by their physician along with the above.

If I were you I would definitely change your sick leave policy, after all it's a business your running and you need some steady income coming in.  Don't feel bad about it.  As a mother with a child in daycare I wouldn't take it personally.

Answer 2

offer 1

Answer 3

Not at all, I am in the US and this is just common policy. You have a business to run and a family to care for.