14th March 2008, 07:06 PM
It should be noted that working in field archaeology exposes people to all sorts of cuts, scrapes, skin infections and other minor ailments which require (non urgent) medical attention. The location of site work usually makes it hard to just pop out to the doctors for a half hour to get some antibiotics. This often requires a day or half day out from a legal minimum annual leave allowance or taking time off unpaid. With many GP's not taking advance appointment bookings as they have to meet government targets on seeing patients the day they call up, taking time off is the only option.
I don't care what the legal position is, I believe there is a moral responsibility for archaeological employers to give field staff at least the same sick pay rights as office staff, regardless of length of contract. Personally, I won't work for a company that doesn't offer full sick pay from day one. I have a very good sick record (2 years without sick leave at the moment) and expect to not have to worry when my already small income is cut into by illness or injury. I have worked at places where this was not the case, and this was a cause of resentment for me.
I don't care what the legal position is, I believe there is a moral responsibility for archaeological employers to give field staff at least the same sick pay rights as office staff, regardless of length of contract. Personally, I won't work for a company that doesn't offer full sick pay from day one. I have a very good sick record (2 years without sick leave at the moment) and expect to not have to worry when my already small income is cut into by illness or injury. I have worked at places where this was not the case, and this was a cause of resentment for me.