How to ask my manager about guidelines around taking sick leave during my notice period? [closed]

Clash Royale CLAN TAG#URR8PPP

.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty margin-bottom:0;

up vote
2
down vote

favorite

UPDATE: California, USA. This question specifically is about whether any company, in general, will consider a sick leave taken by an employee to care for his/her spouse qualifies as sick leave, even if the employee is not sick.

While every employer in California, USA might have their own rules, I expect there to be some common ground between all rules as far as sick leave and what qualifies as sick leaves, go

---

I have given two weeks notice to my current employer in California. There are 4 days of sick leave that I can take without advanced notice. I have a few questions regarding this.

1. Are there any issues with taking sick leave during your notice period?


2. Is it possible to take sick leave where I can be healthy myself but my wife/husband is sick?
   Would claiming the day off to attend to my wife/husband qualify as sick leave or would I have to take a single vacation because I am not sick myself?

How can I find out if there any issues in claiming these sick leave in such a manner during my agreed upon notice period? I don't want to lose these days off but I want to ensure I don't accidentally do something I shouldn't do.

united-states vacation sickness

share|improve this question

edited Feb 7 '14 at 14:17

Neuromancer

45938

asked Feb 6 '14 at 8:30

sekharan

1246

closed as unclear what you're asking by Jim G., CMW, CincinnatiProgrammer, user8365, Deer Hunter Feb 10 '14 at 2:17

Please clarify your specific problem or add additional details to highlight exactly what you need. As it's currently written, it’s hard to tell exactly what you're asking. See the How to Ask page for help clarifying this question. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.

• 
  
  
  

  
  7
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I think these are answers that only your company can give. As what is and isn't 'acceptable' use-age will either pertain specifically to your company, or at a minimum to the laws in your country. Neither of which we are qualified to answer! Have you asked your company about it yet?
  – Rhys
  Feb 6 '14 at 8:37
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Hello OP. Your question is bound to generate a heavy degree of opinion, if you count that you're asking about issues, and we don't know where you work, and what are the implications based on that. This is too much specific on your company, and depending on where you work, even on the law. Because of that, you're attracting close votes. Perhaps you should edit your question? After all, it's not a bad formatted question.
  – Hugo Rocha
  Feb 6 '14 at 13:25
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  In most positions your ability to take sick leave or other PTO is suspended. The notice period is intended to provide time for you to wrap up loose ends and transfer knowledge. That can not happen if you are not actually there.
  – IDrinkandIKnowThings
  Feb 6 '14 at 15:06
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Most companies I've been at that designate sick days (not including vacation days) consider them to be used if necessary and don't encourage people to pretend they are sick so they can use them all up.
  – user8365
  Feb 6 '14 at 19:40
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Here it would not be considered a sick leave. I Think the question would still be off topic because such things are defined by the LAW. :)
  – Hugo Rocha
  Feb 6 '14 at 20:28
  

  
  
  
  

 | 
show 3 more comments

up vote
2
down vote

favorite

UPDATE: California, USA. This question specifically is about whether any company, in general, will consider a sick leave taken by an employee to care for his/her spouse qualifies as sick leave, even if the employee is not sick.

While every employer in California, USA might have their own rules, I expect there to be some common ground between all rules as far as sick leave and what qualifies as sick leaves, go

---

I have given two weeks notice to my current employer in California. There are 4 days of sick leave that I can take without advanced notice. I have a few questions regarding this.

1. Are there any issues with taking sick leave during your notice period?


2. Is it possible to take sick leave where I can be healthy myself but my wife/husband is sick?
   Would claiming the day off to attend to my wife/husband qualify as sick leave or would I have to take a single vacation because I am not sick myself?

How can I find out if there any issues in claiming these sick leave in such a manner during my agreed upon notice period? I don't want to lose these days off but I want to ensure I don't accidentally do something I shouldn't do.

united-states vacation sickness

share|improve this question

edited Feb 7 '14 at 14:17

Neuromancer

45938

asked Feb 6 '14 at 8:30

sekharan

1246

closed as unclear what you're asking by Jim G., CMW, CincinnatiProgrammer, user8365, Deer Hunter Feb 10 '14 at 2:17

Please clarify your specific problem or add additional details to highlight exactly what you need. As it's currently written, it’s hard to tell exactly what you're asking. See the How to Ask page for help clarifying this question. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.

• 
  
  
  

  
  7
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I think these are answers that only your company can give. As what is and isn't 'acceptable' use-age will either pertain specifically to your company, or at a minimum to the laws in your country. Neither of which we are qualified to answer! Have you asked your company about it yet?
  – Rhys
  Feb 6 '14 at 8:37
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Hello OP. Your question is bound to generate a heavy degree of opinion, if you count that you're asking about issues, and we don't know where you work, and what are the implications based on that. This is too much specific on your company, and depending on where you work, even on the law. Because of that, you're attracting close votes. Perhaps you should edit your question? After all, it's not a bad formatted question.
  – Hugo Rocha
  Feb 6 '14 at 13:25
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  In most positions your ability to take sick leave or other PTO is suspended. The notice period is intended to provide time for you to wrap up loose ends and transfer knowledge. That can not happen if you are not actually there.
  – IDrinkandIKnowThings
  Feb 6 '14 at 15:06
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Most companies I've been at that designate sick days (not including vacation days) consider them to be used if necessary and don't encourage people to pretend they are sick so they can use them all up.
  – user8365
  Feb 6 '14 at 19:40
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Here it would not be considered a sick leave. I Think the question would still be off topic because such things are defined by the LAW. :)
  – Hugo Rocha
  Feb 6 '14 at 20:28
  

  
  
  
  

 | 
show 3 more comments

up vote
2
down vote

favorite

up vote
2
down vote

favorite

UPDATE: California, USA. This question specifically is about whether any company, in general, will consider a sick leave taken by an employee to care for his/her spouse qualifies as sick leave, even if the employee is not sick.

While every employer in California, USA might have their own rules, I expect there to be some common ground between all rules as far as sick leave and what qualifies as sick leaves, go

---

I have given two weeks notice to my current employer in California. There are 4 days of sick leave that I can take without advanced notice. I have a few questions regarding this.

1. Are there any issues with taking sick leave during your notice period?


2. Is it possible to take sick leave where I can be healthy myself but my wife/husband is sick?
   Would claiming the day off to attend to my wife/husband qualify as sick leave or would I have to take a single vacation because I am not sick myself?

How can I find out if there any issues in claiming these sick leave in such a manner during my agreed upon notice period? I don't want to lose these days off but I want to ensure I don't accidentally do something I shouldn't do.

united-states vacation sickness

share|improve this question

edited Feb 7 '14 at 14:17

Neuromancer

45938

asked Feb 6 '14 at 8:30

sekharan

1246

UPDATE: California, USA. This question specifically is about whether any company, in general, will consider a sick leave taken by an employee to care for his/her spouse qualifies as sick leave, even if the employee is not sick.

While every employer in California, USA might have their own rules, I expect there to be some common ground between all rules as far as sick leave and what qualifies as sick leaves, go

---

I have given two weeks notice to my current employer in California. There are 4 days of sick leave that I can take without advanced notice. I have a few questions regarding this.

1. Are there any issues with taking sick leave during your notice period?


2. Is it possible to take sick leave where I can be healthy myself but my wife/husband is sick?
   Would claiming the day off to attend to my wife/husband qualify as sick leave or would I have to take a single vacation because I am not sick myself?

How can I find out if there any issues in claiming these sick leave in such a manner during my agreed upon notice period? I don't want to lose these days off but I want to ensure I don't accidentally do something I shouldn't do.

united-states vacation sickness

share|improve this question

edited Feb 7 '14 at 14:17

Neuromancer

45938

asked Feb 6 '14 at 8:30

sekharan

1246

share|improve this question

share|improve this question

edited Feb 7 '14 at 14:17

Neuromancer

45938

edited Feb 7 '14 at 14:17

Neuromancer

45938

edited Feb 7 '14 at 14:17

Neuromancer

45938

45938

asked Feb 6 '14 at 8:30

sekharan

1246

asked Feb 6 '14 at 8:30

sekharan

1246

asked Feb 6 '14 at 8:30

sekharan

1246

1246

closed as unclear what you're asking by Jim G., CMW, CincinnatiProgrammer, user8365, Deer Hunter Feb 10 '14 at 2:17

Please clarify your specific problem or add additional details to highlight exactly what you need. As it's currently written, it’s hard to tell exactly what you're asking. See the How to Ask page for help clarifying this question. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.

closed as unclear what you're asking by Jim G., CMW, CincinnatiProgrammer, user8365, Deer Hunter Feb 10 '14 at 2:17

Please clarify your specific problem or add additional details to highlight exactly what you need. As it's currently written, it’s hard to tell exactly what you're asking. See the How to Ask page for help clarifying this question. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.

• 
  
  
  

  
  7
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I think these are answers that only your company can give. As what is and isn't 'acceptable' use-age will either pertain specifically to your company, or at a minimum to the laws in your country. Neither of which we are qualified to answer! Have you asked your company about it yet?
  – Rhys
  Feb 6 '14 at 8:37
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Hello OP. Your question is bound to generate a heavy degree of opinion, if you count that you're asking about issues, and we don't know where you work, and what are the implications based on that. This is too much specific on your company, and depending on where you work, even on the law. Because of that, you're attracting close votes. Perhaps you should edit your question? After all, it's not a bad formatted question.
  – Hugo Rocha
  Feb 6 '14 at 13:25
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  In most positions your ability to take sick leave or other PTO is suspended. The notice period is intended to provide time for you to wrap up loose ends and transfer knowledge. That can not happen if you are not actually there.
  – IDrinkandIKnowThings
  Feb 6 '14 at 15:06
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Most companies I've been at that designate sick days (not including vacation days) consider them to be used if necessary and don't encourage people to pretend they are sick so they can use them all up.
  – user8365
  Feb 6 '14 at 19:40
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Here it would not be considered a sick leave. I Think the question would still be off topic because such things are defined by the LAW. :)
  – Hugo Rocha
  Feb 6 '14 at 20:28
  

  
  
  
  

 | 
show 3 more comments

• 
  
  
  

  
  7
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I think these are answers that only your company can give. As what is and isn't 'acceptable' use-age will either pertain specifically to your company, or at a minimum to the laws in your country. Neither of which we are qualified to answer! Have you asked your company about it yet?
  – Rhys
  Feb 6 '14 at 8:37
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Hello OP. Your question is bound to generate a heavy degree of opinion, if you count that you're asking about issues, and we don't know where you work, and what are the implications based on that. This is too much specific on your company, and depending on where you work, even on the law. Because of that, you're attracting close votes. Perhaps you should edit your question? After all, it's not a bad formatted question.
  – Hugo Rocha
  Feb 6 '14 at 13:25
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  In most positions your ability to take sick leave or other PTO is suspended. The notice period is intended to provide time for you to wrap up loose ends and transfer knowledge. That can not happen if you are not actually there.
  – IDrinkandIKnowThings
  Feb 6 '14 at 15:06
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Most companies I've been at that designate sick days (not including vacation days) consider them to be used if necessary and don't encourage people to pretend they are sick so they can use them all up.
  – user8365
  Feb 6 '14 at 19:40
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Here it would not be considered a sick leave. I Think the question would still be off topic because such things are defined by the LAW. :)
  – Hugo Rocha
  Feb 6 '14 at 20:28
  

  
  
  
  

7

7

I think these are answers that only your company can give. As what is and isn't 'acceptable' use-age will either pertain specifically to your company, or at a minimum to the laws in your country. Neither of which we are qualified to answer! Have you asked your company about it yet?
– Rhys
Feb 6 '14 at 8:37

I think these are answers that only your company can give. As what is and isn't 'acceptable' use-age will either pertain specifically to your company, or at a minimum to the laws in your country. Neither of which we are qualified to answer! Have you asked your company about it yet?
– Rhys
Feb 6 '14 at 8:37

1

1

Hello OP. Your question is bound to generate a heavy degree of opinion, if you count that you're asking about issues, and we don't know where you work, and what are the implications based on that. This is too much specific on your company, and depending on where you work, even on the law. Because of that, you're attracting close votes. Perhaps you should edit your question? After all, it's not a bad formatted question.
– Hugo Rocha
Feb 6 '14 at 13:25

Hello OP. Your question is bound to generate a heavy degree of opinion, if you count that you're asking about issues, and we don't know where you work, and what are the implications based on that. This is too much specific on your company, and depending on where you work, even on the law. Because of that, you're attracting close votes. Perhaps you should edit your question? After all, it's not a bad formatted question.
– Hugo Rocha
Feb 6 '14 at 13:25

In most positions your ability to take sick leave or other PTO is suspended. The notice period is intended to provide time for you to wrap up loose ends and transfer knowledge. That can not happen if you are not actually there.
– IDrinkandIKnowThings
Feb 6 '14 at 15:06

In most positions your ability to take sick leave or other PTO is suspended. The notice period is intended to provide time for you to wrap up loose ends and transfer knowledge. That can not happen if you are not actually there.
– IDrinkandIKnowThings
Feb 6 '14 at 15:06

Most companies I've been at that designate sick days (not including vacation days) consider them to be used if necessary and don't encourage people to pretend they are sick so they can use them all up.
– user8365
Feb 6 '14 at 19:40

Most companies I've been at that designate sick days (not including vacation days) consider them to be used if necessary and don't encourage people to pretend they are sick so they can use them all up.
– user8365
Feb 6 '14 at 19:40

1

1

Here it would not be considered a sick leave. I Think the question would still be off topic because such things are defined by the LAW. :)
– Hugo Rocha
Feb 6 '14 at 20:28

Here it would not be considered a sick leave. I Think the question would still be off topic because such things are defined by the LAW. :)
– Hugo Rocha
Feb 6 '14 at 20:28

 | 
show 3 more comments

1 Answer
1

active

oldest

votes

up vote
6
down vote

You have two questions, the answer to one can change, and both will be only finally answered by talking to your manager.

1. Is it possible to take sick leaves where I can be healthy myself but my wife/husband is sick? Would claiming the day off to attend to my
   wife/husband qualify as sick leave or would I have to take a single
   vacation because I am not sick myself?

For many companies, the answer to this is yes. You can take sick time when you are sick, when you need to go for a normal doctor visit (including eye doctor or dentist), for when children are sick or have doctor appointments, and when the spouse needs you to drive or accompany them to a doctor appointment. However, this is not universal, and if your HR manual does not spell this out, you should check with your manager before assuming it is true for this company. (My spouse has an annual eye doctor appointment in a city 4 hours away and has his eyes dialated, so I have to drive. I take that as sick. I also checked with my company first, because I would take it as vacation if they preferred.)

1. Are there any issues with taking sick leaves during your notice period?

However, during notice periods, the standard company rules and conventions may change. Some companies pay out unused sick and/or vacation time, some do not. Some allow use of sick and/or vacation time during leave, some do not. IF your company allows you to use sick time for helping a sick spouse during normal times, and have been allowing it all along, they MAY allow you to use it (with the same frequency that you've used it in the past) during your notice period.

Since a notice period is used for handing off work, the general consensus is that you will be at work if at all possible. If you plan on spending all your sick time just so you can use it up, even without knowing your company, I can tell you that will not be looked upon well. A good recommendation from your company is worth more than four days pay.

The answer to the question in the title, how to ask your manager, is simply to go and ask. If they already know that your spouse is sick, and have let you take time for appointments already, another day should be allowed. Don't suddenly have the excuse of a sick spouse, and don't expect all four days. It is also valid to ask if unused sick time is paid out.

Good

Boss, I have questions about leave during this notice period. You
know I've been taking my wife to chemo treatments every two weeks, and
another appointment will be next Tuesday. Is that still ok to take
even though my last day is the Friday after? Also, that will still
leave me with 3 1/2 days of sick time. Does the company pay that time
out, or is it just lost?

Bad

Boss, my wife just came down with Dragon Pox, and I'll need to take
the last four days of my notice period as sick. Sorry!

share|improve this answer

answered Feb 7 '14 at 0:15

thursdaysgeek

24.2k103998

add a comment | 

1 Answer
1

active

oldest

votes

1 Answer
1

active

oldest

votes

active

oldest

votes

active

oldest

votes

up vote
6
down vote

You have two questions, the answer to one can change, and both will be only finally answered by talking to your manager.

1. Is it possible to take sick leaves where I can be healthy myself but my wife/husband is sick? Would claiming the day off to attend to my
   wife/husband qualify as sick leave or would I have to take a single
   vacation because I am not sick myself?

For many companies, the answer to this is yes. You can take sick time when you are sick, when you need to go for a normal doctor visit (including eye doctor or dentist), for when children are sick or have doctor appointments, and when the spouse needs you to drive or accompany them to a doctor appointment. However, this is not universal, and if your HR manual does not spell this out, you should check with your manager before assuming it is true for this company. (My spouse has an annual eye doctor appointment in a city 4 hours away and has his eyes dialated, so I have to drive. I take that as sick. I also checked with my company first, because I would take it as vacation if they preferred.)

1. Are there any issues with taking sick leaves during your notice period?

However, during notice periods, the standard company rules and conventions may change. Some companies pay out unused sick and/or vacation time, some do not. Some allow use of sick and/or vacation time during leave, some do not. IF your company allows you to use sick time for helping a sick spouse during normal times, and have been allowing it all along, they MAY allow you to use it (with the same frequency that you've used it in the past) during your notice period.

Since a notice period is used for handing off work, the general consensus is that you will be at work if at all possible. If you plan on spending all your sick time just so you can use it up, even without knowing your company, I can tell you that will not be looked upon well. A good recommendation from your company is worth more than four days pay.

The answer to the question in the title, how to ask your manager, is simply to go and ask. If they already know that your spouse is sick, and have let you take time for appointments already, another day should be allowed. Don't suddenly have the excuse of a sick spouse, and don't expect all four days. It is also valid to ask if unused sick time is paid out.

Good

Boss, I have questions about leave during this notice period. You
know I've been taking my wife to chemo treatments every two weeks, and
another appointment will be next Tuesday. Is that still ok to take
even though my last day is the Friday after? Also, that will still
leave me with 3 1/2 days of sick time. Does the company pay that time
out, or is it just lost?

Bad

Boss, my wife just came down with Dragon Pox, and I'll need to take
the last four days of my notice period as sick. Sorry!

share|improve this answer

answered Feb 7 '14 at 0:15

thursdaysgeek

24.2k103998

add a comment | 

up vote
6
down vote

You have two questions, the answer to one can change, and both will be only finally answered by talking to your manager.

1. Is it possible to take sick leaves where I can be healthy myself but my wife/husband is sick? Would claiming the day off to attend to my
   wife/husband qualify as sick leave or would I have to take a single
   vacation because I am not sick myself?

For many companies, the answer to this is yes. You can take sick time when you are sick, when you need to go for a normal doctor visit (including eye doctor or dentist), for when children are sick or have doctor appointments, and when the spouse needs you to drive or accompany them to a doctor appointment. However, this is not universal, and if your HR manual does not spell this out, you should check with your manager before assuming it is true for this company. (My spouse has an annual eye doctor appointment in a city 4 hours away and has his eyes dialated, so I have to drive. I take that as sick. I also checked with my company first, because I would take it as vacation if they preferred.)

1. Are there any issues with taking sick leaves during your notice period?

However, during notice periods, the standard company rules and conventions may change. Some companies pay out unused sick and/or vacation time, some do not. Some allow use of sick and/or vacation time during leave, some do not. IF your company allows you to use sick time for helping a sick spouse during normal times, and have been allowing it all along, they MAY allow you to use it (with the same frequency that you've used it in the past) during your notice period.

Since a notice period is used for handing off work, the general consensus is that you will be at work if at all possible. If you plan on spending all your sick time just so you can use it up, even without knowing your company, I can tell you that will not be looked upon well. A good recommendation from your company is worth more than four days pay.

The answer to the question in the title, how to ask your manager, is simply to go and ask. If they already know that your spouse is sick, and have let you take time for appointments already, another day should be allowed. Don't suddenly have the excuse of a sick spouse, and don't expect all four days. It is also valid to ask if unused sick time is paid out.

Good

Boss, I have questions about leave during this notice period. You
know I've been taking my wife to chemo treatments every two weeks, and
another appointment will be next Tuesday. Is that still ok to take
even though my last day is the Friday after? Also, that will still
leave me with 3 1/2 days of sick time. Does the company pay that time
out, or is it just lost?

Bad

Boss, my wife just came down with Dragon Pox, and I'll need to take
the last four days of my notice period as sick. Sorry!

share|improve this answer

answered Feb 7 '14 at 0:15

thursdaysgeek

24.2k103998

add a comment | 

up vote
6
down vote

up vote
6
down vote

You have two questions, the answer to one can change, and both will be only finally answered by talking to your manager.

1. Is it possible to take sick leaves where I can be healthy myself but my wife/husband is sick? Would claiming the day off to attend to my
   wife/husband qualify as sick leave or would I have to take a single
   vacation because I am not sick myself?

For many companies, the answer to this is yes. You can take sick time when you are sick, when you need to go for a normal doctor visit (including eye doctor or dentist), for when children are sick or have doctor appointments, and when the spouse needs you to drive or accompany them to a doctor appointment. However, this is not universal, and if your HR manual does not spell this out, you should check with your manager before assuming it is true for this company. (My spouse has an annual eye doctor appointment in a city 4 hours away and has his eyes dialated, so I have to drive. I take that as sick. I also checked with my company first, because I would take it as vacation if they preferred.)

1. Are there any issues with taking sick leaves during your notice period?

However, during notice periods, the standard company rules and conventions may change. Some companies pay out unused sick and/or vacation time, some do not. Some allow use of sick and/or vacation time during leave, some do not. IF your company allows you to use sick time for helping a sick spouse during normal times, and have been allowing it all along, they MAY allow you to use it (with the same frequency that you've used it in the past) during your notice period.

Since a notice period is used for handing off work, the general consensus is that you will be at work if at all possible. If you plan on spending all your sick time just so you can use it up, even without knowing your company, I can tell you that will not be looked upon well. A good recommendation from your company is worth more than four days pay.

The answer to the question in the title, how to ask your manager, is simply to go and ask. If they already know that your spouse is sick, and have let you take time for appointments already, another day should be allowed. Don't suddenly have the excuse of a sick spouse, and don't expect all four days. It is also valid to ask if unused sick time is paid out.

Good

Boss, I have questions about leave during this notice period. You
know I've been taking my wife to chemo treatments every two weeks, and
another appointment will be next Tuesday. Is that still ok to take
even though my last day is the Friday after? Also, that will still
leave me with 3 1/2 days of sick time. Does the company pay that time
out, or is it just lost?

Bad

Boss, my wife just came down with Dragon Pox, and I'll need to take
the last four days of my notice period as sick. Sorry!

share|improve this answer

answered Feb 7 '14 at 0:15

thursdaysgeek

24.2k103998

You have two questions, the answer to one can change, and both will be only finally answered by talking to your manager.

1. Is it possible to take sick leaves where I can be healthy myself but my wife/husband is sick? Would claiming the day off to attend to my
   wife/husband qualify as sick leave or would I have to take a single
   vacation because I am not sick myself?

For many companies, the answer to this is yes. You can take sick time when you are sick, when you need to go for a normal doctor visit (including eye doctor or dentist), for when children are sick or have doctor appointments, and when the spouse needs you to drive or accompany them to a doctor appointment. However, this is not universal, and if your HR manual does not spell this out, you should check with your manager before assuming it is true for this company. (My spouse has an annual eye doctor appointment in a city 4 hours away and has his eyes dialated, so I have to drive. I take that as sick. I also checked with my company first, because I would take it as vacation if they preferred.)

1. Are there any issues with taking sick leaves during your notice period?

However, during notice periods, the standard company rules and conventions may change. Some companies pay out unused sick and/or vacation time, some do not. Some allow use of sick and/or vacation time during leave, some do not. IF your company allows you to use sick time for helping a sick spouse during normal times, and have been allowing it all along, they MAY allow you to use it (with the same frequency that you've used it in the past) during your notice period.

Since a notice period is used for handing off work, the general consensus is that you will be at work if at all possible. If you plan on spending all your sick time just so you can use it up, even without knowing your company, I can tell you that will not be looked upon well. A good recommendation from your company is worth more than four days pay.

The answer to the question in the title, how to ask your manager, is simply to go and ask. If they already know that your spouse is sick, and have let you take time for appointments already, another day should be allowed. Don't suddenly have the excuse of a sick spouse, and don't expect all four days. It is also valid to ask if unused sick time is paid out.

Good

Boss, I have questions about leave during this notice period. You
know I've been taking my wife to chemo treatments every two weeks, and
another appointment will be next Tuesday. Is that still ok to take
even though my last day is the Friday after? Also, that will still
leave me with 3 1/2 days of sick time. Does the company pay that time
out, or is it just lost?

Bad

Boss, my wife just came down with Dragon Pox, and I'll need to take
the last four days of my notice period as sick. Sorry!

share|improve this answer

answered Feb 7 '14 at 0:15

thursdaysgeek

24.2k103998

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

answered Feb 7 '14 at 0:15

thursdaysgeek

24.2k103998

answered Feb 7 '14 at 0:15

thursdaysgeek

24.2k103998

answered Feb 7 '14 at 0:15

thursdaysgeek

24.2k103998

24.2k103998

add a comment | 

add a comment |