What is the new sick time policy going into effect in 2026?
9 replies (most recent on top)
This company is getting worse! No longer a preferred pls e to work. Glad I’m gone!
@v1 sorry- 5 days (not 5 hours)
1,000 hours down to 5. This, after a bunch of layoffs. So much for “people first” and being a “preferred place to work”.
Next up: “ everyone back in the office” and instead of AIP, we’ll all be getting Jelly of the Month Club subscriptions.
@bm well, I don't think that's the case. I'm not super familiar but read the FAQ they link to in the email. This is purely about "regular sick time" which I think is classified as 7 or fewer days.
There's still other types like short and long term, which would for sure apply given something like cancer.
But still... the general point is valid. I'm thinking migraines, Crohn's, or even parents in their first year of the kid going to school/day care. 5 instances of taking one day is not a lot. And then you're burning vacation because of what life dealt you.
I'd be curious what HR would say. I have zero belief they'd adjust due to complaints, or even logic. I assume they made some kind of calculation on total days off and anticipated cost savings.
Every employee with historic sick time > 5 days will become 5 + vacation moving forward.
I knew someone who ended up getting leukemia and was out for a while with chemo treatments. Long-term disability I don't think kicked in until 26 weeks (maybe sooner, it's been a while). The guy got full pay and medical coverage. SO, if this is true, then the same guy would have gotten a week? And then had to burn into vacation? That's absurd.
Hasn't anyone complained to Benefits about these kind of long-term issues? How was this not challenged at the last townhall? Is this industry best practice (maybe in Bangladesh)?
Doesn't seem possible???
Why would Bryan sign off on this?
@am Yeah as far as I knew it was essentially unlimited at 3M? Somewhere in there pretty sure it's like "feel free to use your vacation and personal holidays."
Looked it up. "If an employee is out for less than 7 consecutive calendar days, employees may use the new 40 hours of sick time, vacation, personal holiday, or other paid time off."
I really don't know how they wrap their minds around the contradictions. "Best and preferred place to work" should mean time off for being sick. The only reason not to is cost savings at the expense of the employee, or not trusting people are using it appropriately.
I know colleagues who will 100% blow through this in just a couple chunks taken due to long standing medical issues. It effectively reduces their vacation, which is meant to enjoy life, not recover at home from being in pain/unable to work. It's ridiculous.
@aj Oh wow. Didn't we used to have 1,024 hours of sick time per year? What happens after someone uses the 40 hours of sick time but then has a stomach bug later?
Search your email for the word "sick." Email was titled, "Upcoming Changes to U.S. Disability Programs".
Not sure what specific policy/type of leave you're asking about. If just about regular "sick time," the change is we get 40hrs of paid sick time starting 2026.
Gotta love the "why":
These updates create greater consistency and sustainability in how disability and related leaves are managed. The design balances employee support with organizational needs and aligns with industry best practices.
3M said cutting the 401k match was keeping with industry best practice, too. Maybe executive pay should adjusted to be in line with industry standards? How is Bryan making 2x the Medtronic CEO?
One week after a year and two weeks after 37 years