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Using Sick Pay When a Shift Ends Early or You Get Sick During a Shift

What to do if you can’t finish a scheduled shift due to illness or an emergency. You may be able to use sick pay in certain situations, but sick pay does not automatically apply when a shift ends early.

Updated this week

✨ Overview

If you leave a shift early or become sick after a shift has already started, whether sick pay applies depends on why the shift ended and what steps you take. Sick pay must be requested and only applies for approved reasons.

🚧 What to Do Right Away

If you get sick or have an emergency during a shift, take these steps right away:

  1. Tell the on-site supervisor immediately

    • Let them know you are sick or experiencing an emergency.

  2. Clock out in the app

    • Do not stay clocked in after leaving.

  3. Message Talent Support

    • Tap the question-mark Help icon in the Ideal app

    • Explain what happened and that you are requesting sick pay

If these steps are not completed, sick pay may be delayed or denied.

🩺 When Sick Pay May Apply

You may be able to use sick pay if you choose to leave early for an approved reason, such as:

  • Sudden illness or injury

  • A medical emergency

  • Safety-related concerns

Sick pay is only available for the hours missed due to the approved reason and must be requested through the app.

🚫 When Sick Pay Does Not Apply

Sick pay does not apply in these situations:

  • The client sends you home for performance or behavior reasons

  • You leave early without an approved sick or safety-related reason

  • You do not notify the supervisor onsite and Talent Support

  • You fail to submit a sick pay request

Leaving early without an approved reason may affect your account or future shift invitations.

📝 How to Request Sick Pay for a Partial Shift

Sick pay is not automatic.

When messaging Talent Support, include:

  • Date of the shift

  • Hours worked before leaving

  • Hours of sick pay requested

  • Short reason (illness, emergency, or safety-related need)

  • Shift details (position and pay rate, if known)

Requests cannot be processed without complete information.

🛡️ Non-Retaliation

You cannot be punished for lawfully using approved sick pay. Attendance, behavior, and process rules still apply.

🧾 Quick Summary

  • Sick pay may apply if you leave early for an approved reason

  • Sick pay does not apply if a client sends you home for performance reasons

  • You must notify the supervisor, clock out, and message Talent Support

  • Sick pay must be requested through the app

  • Leaving early without an approved reason may affect your account

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