From The Minnesota Daily: Sick-day and time-off policies cost the city nearly $1 million in overtime pay annually, according to data collected by the Minneapolis Fire Department and the city.

Fire Chief Alex Jackson was asked to compile a report showing the amount of time members of the fire department took off, when that time was taken off and which positions were taking time off most frequently.

According to the data, firefighters take significantly more sick days and time off during weekends and summer months. They often take the same days off, which forces the department to pay other employees overtime to cover.

The department’s overtime pay has been increased because the employees who work overtime are often of a higher rank and therefore a higher pay rate. Fire captains and fire chiefs made up a majority of those who worked overtime. Even when filling in for a firefighter, captains and chiefs receive their normal pay. Read the entire article here.