San Mateo Retiree Benefits Tied to Unused Sick Days
An arrangement between San Mateo County and six unions, which represent most of the 5,700 county employees, allows workers to exchange unused paid sick leave for monthly, post-retirement health care contributions from the county. Officials note that the county is one of only a few that links post-retirement medical benefits to unused sick time. Nicole McKay, the county employee relations manager, said the system offers two advantages: workers are encouraged to stay as healthy as possible, and the county saves money in overtime costs to cover for workers who call out sick.
- "San Mateo County Employees Who Use Little Sick Time Amass Years of Medical Coverage After Retiring" (Eslinger, San Jose Mercury News, 7/30).