Opinion
Letter: Town is in need of cash, but is buying sick time?
Editor, Townsman:
We are told the town of Andover is saving money buying back sick time. What is it that I don't understand? Sick time is when you're sick, not a commodity to be bought and sold. This sort of thinking is like going to the store during a sale, buying $150 of stuff that you do not need, because it cost only $100. You "saved" $50. Good on ya! Not, however, my thought on economy.
I have worked both for a large and small company. The United States Air Force is large and I assure you, "buying/selling" sick time did not happen. You could carry forward a limited amount of vacation, not sick time. I have also been intimately involved in management of a small company, my practice in Andover, for over 30 years. When someone was sick, we did not (and could not) rush out to hire a replacement, even at time and a half. Those who were there simply pitched in and covered. That is not to say there were not people out sick, but I challenge anyone to compare lost time due to sickness in small privately-owned businesses versus the public domain. I have no figures; I'd like to have. I am confident, however, the findings would be startling. There is vacation time (two to six weeks), there is personal time, there is holiday time, there may even be some "special occasion" time; mostly pre-scheduled. This leaves most folks with about 10 months of work time (some with far less). Sick time should be just that — a benefit to be used when you're really sick. These days are cost to the employer, not times to be bought and sold by employees. Where did this all start anyway? Are there controls/limits? Must one be as sick on Friday or Monday as on Wednesday? Does anyone monitor, know — or care?
Seems like the town, now in need of cash, threatening a forever compounding tax override, could do well and save some money by revisiting this policy, essentially unique to their employees. There is a real agenda item for Town Meeting.
Calvin Perry, O.D.
25 Timothy Drive
- Opinion
-
-
Editorial: Weighty issues of fall upon us
There's no question the area needed the water. But the cool, wet, overcast weather this week brought with it the relative gloom and reality that summer is coming to a close. You know, real summer - where kids are off from school, vacations are more plentiful, the sun is out past 7:30 p.m., and the town beach is open. With the start of school next Wednesday, Sept. 1, many will devote more attention again to the issues of the day - issues that don't involve sunscreen. Among those deserving of immediate attention are the upcoming state primary, and the plan to replace Bancroft Elementary with an approximately $35 million new school.
Continued ... -
Letter: Our tennis courts don't compete
Continued ...
Editor, Townsman:
In reference to your story about California Products, it's ironic that while Andover is home to the world's leading manufacturer of tennis court surfacing materials, our high school's courts are among the most poorly constructed and maintained in the region. -
Letter: Youth gave fresh face to Historical Society
Youth gave fresh face to Historical Society
Continued ...
Editor, Townsman:
on behalf of the board of directors of the Andover Historical Society, I would like to acknowledge the youth volunteers from the Summer Volunteer Program of the South Church. For three mornings this summer, they, accompanied by counselors and chaperones, worked painting the fence in the front of the Amos Blanchard House. They withstood the heat and were pleased with what they did, as we were. - Letter: Help Iraq refugees living locally
- Letter: Finegold work has had local and statewide impact
- Letter: Wilson would keep no-nonsense voice in senate
- Letter: Lyons would provide fiscal sanity, roll back taxes
- Letter: Rep. candidate Commane listens, leads, solves
- Letter: Silberstein supports what's right, regardless of its popularity
- Thursday, August 19, 2010
- Editorial: Successful changes cooked up in school lunchrooms
- Letter: Finegold helped him establish business
- Letter: Women's Equality Day should remind us to vote
- Letter: Oberto would not be beholden to special interests
- Letter: Great confidence in former prosecutor Tabit
- Letter: Finegold will look out for his hometown
- Letter: Tomasek hard-working and selfless, not flashy
- Thursday, August 12, 2010
- Editorial: Addison reopening awaited
- Letter: Town must end silence on water treatment plant investigation
- Letter: Carbone is antagonist, not watchdog
- Letter: Other candidates target endorsements by taking 'ridiculous positions'
-
Editorial: Weighty issues of fall upon us
