A woman whose husband was severely injured in an electrical accident is fighting for the sick days donated by her co-workers so that she can stay with him as he recovers.
Sue Howe’s fellow workers at the La Crosse County Human Services Department circulated a petition asking people to donate their sick leave or vacation time to her.
More than 50 co-workers donated 662 hours of their sick leave, but she has not received any of the donated hours.
Her husband, Jeff, was struck by 7,200 volts of electricity and is at University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison.
His left hand was amputated and he suffered third-degree burns on his chest and back and on the back of the head. The electrical current burned a hole in his chest and he lost four ribs.
His wife used her remaining 11 days of sick leave to stay at his side immediately after the accident and now is on unpaid medical leave.
Robert Taunt, La Crosse County’s personnel director, opposes the transfer of sick leave hours. The county’s Finance and Personnel Committee is reviewing the co-workers’ request.
Taunt said the county’s policy does not address donating sick leave and vacation days to other employees.
“The county is reluctant to get into a situation of donating hours,” he said. “First of all, it’s difficult to administer. Payroll would go bananas.”
