New Haven Fire Department to spy on sick workers

Fire Department to check on sick workers

William Kaempffer, Register Staff

December 26, 2002

NEW HAVEN — In an attempt to police sick-time usage, the Fire Department has resumed unannounced visits to the homes of firefighters who called in sick to make sure the flu is really the flu.

This weekend, battalion chiefs were instructed to drive to the homes of employees who booked off and check if they were home and if they appeared to be sick.

"We’ll look at each shift individually," said Assistant Fire Chief Michael Grant.

If the command staff detects a spike in sick-time use on certain days, "that sends up a red flag," Grant added.

While there have been instances of sick-time abuse, Grant said, "I want to say that we’ve brought that under control."

For a year, City Hall has been tracking sick-time usage in the Fire Department and complained about rampant abuse.

The fire union has challenged that and says the department’s fiscal problems lie in part with City Hall for keeping the fire service understaffed.

Karen DuBois-Walton, the city’s chief administrative officer, said the recent home visits were intended to give teeth to the department’s sick-time policy. Fire Chief Dennis W. Daniels recently handed down short suspensions for workers who misused sick time or used too much.

Grant said the visits will continue and even he would periodically stop by firefighters’ homes.

"It could be the battalion chief, the deputy chief, myself and it could be the chief of the department," Grant said.

While the home visits might send a message, little can be done to firefighters who aren’t home for the unannounced visits. There is no requirement in the union contract for firefighters who call in sick to stay at home, said firefighter Patrick Egan.

Who’s to say, Egan asked, that they’re not at the doctor’s office or filling a prescription at the pharmacy?

"The administration has a very myopic view of firefighters using sick leave," Egan said. "Let’s not keep trying to shovel it (blame) on the backs of the firefighters."

William Kaempffer can be reached at wkaempffer@nhregister.com, or at 789-5727.