K KWEMA

Sick Call Policy

Overview

Sick call situations fall into four categories, each with its own protocol and stipend treatment:

  1. Unwell but physically able to work — would rather not
  2. Unwell — will not be working regardless of coverage
  3. Severely unwell (self or family) — unable to arrange own coverage
  4. Extended medical leave

Stipend Amounts

Where a stipend applies, the absent physician pays the colleague who picks up the shift on less than 24 hours' notice:

Stipends do not apply to shift trades.

If no one picks up the shift: the stipend is distributed evenly among the physicians working that site that day, in recognition of the added workload from covering the gap.

Shift-time swap to enable a pickup: where a colleague swaps their own shift time so that another physician can take the open shift, the stipend goes entirely to the physician who takes on the new shift that day.

Core Shift Coverage Priority

Core shifts take staffing priority. The 10:00 and 20:00 shifts are non-core. If a shift goes unfilled after sick-call efforts have been exhausted, a physician scheduled on a non-core shift may be moved onto a core shift to protect core coverage.

1. Unwell but physically able to work (would rather not)

You can physically perform your duties but would prefer not to. Responsibility lies fully on you to trade or give the shift away.

  1. Email the group and message the "KW Urgent Messages" group chat asking for help/trade. State clearly if a stipend applies or not.
  2. Contact individual members to seek coverage.
  3. If no coverage is found, you must work your assigned shift.

Stipend: None required. You may, at your option, offer a stipend ($500 / $1,000 for a night) — and if you do, it must be stated in the request.

2. Unwell — will not be working (regardless of coverage)

You will not be coming in whether or not coverage is found.

  1. Notify the chief ASAP. Appropriateness of the absence must be approved by the chief.
  2. Email the group and message the "KW Urgent Messages" group chat asking for urgent help/trade. State clearly that a stipend applies and the amount ($500 regular / $1,000 night).
  3. Attempt to arrange your own coverage to the best of your ability (trades or give-aways). If unable, the chief will make arrangements at their discretion.
  4. KWEMA executives may, at their discretion, apply an additional financial incentive — on top of the sick-call stipend — payable from HOCC funds, to help fill the shift.

Stipend: $500 (regular) / $1,000 (full night) to the physician who picks up the shift on less than 24 hours' notice. Does not apply to trades. If no one picks it up, the physicians working that site that day split the stipend.

3. Severely unwell — unable to arrange own coverage

(e.g., major medical emergency, hospitalization)

You or a family member is so unwell that you are unable to coordinate your own coverage.

  1. Notify the chief as soon as you are able, even briefly.
  2. If able, post a message to the "KW Urgent Messages" group chat asking for help.
  3. The obligation to arrange your own coverage is waived; the chief will arrange coverage on your behalf.
  4. KWEMA executives may apply an additional financial incentive — on top of the sick-call stipend — from HOCC funds.

Stipend: $500 / $1,000 applies. Out of collegiality, and given the severity of the illness, the physician picking up the shift may decide whether to accept or waive the stipend.

4. Extended medical leave

For prolonged absences — e.g., major surgery and recovery, or caring for an acutely admitted family member. These fall outside the standard sick-call process and are handled under separate rules:

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