Australian Politics Forum

Why workers are expected to “chuck a sickie” this Friday :)
With a working day sandwiched between the weekend and a public holiday, Friday is expected to be the most popular day to “chuck a sickie” this year.

News.com.au
April 25, 2024

'Throwing a sickie' seems to be 'our national sport'

Commentator Caroline Di Russo says “throwing a sickie when we shouldn’t” seems to be Australia’s “national sport”, ahead of the Queen’s memorial public holiday on Thursday. “Hopefully people do take leave rather than chuck a sickie,” she told Sky News host Chris Kenny. “

The 26th April is shaping up to be 2024’s most popular day to “chuck a sickie” as workers take advantage of their sick leave following Thursday’s Anzac Day public holiday. :)

However, business groups have warned that the phenomenon could cost the economy millions in lost productivity amid already challenging circumstances for small operators.

While workers across the country are expected to show up for work, an irregularly high number are expected to call in sick in order to create a four-day long weekend.

Jessica Tinsley, workplace relations director at the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said unplanned absences posed a perennial challenge for employers.

“While some Aussies may think that chucking the odd “sickie” is a bit of fun, the truth is that it hurts small business and is against the law,” Ms Tinsley.

“Personal leave is for those who are genuinely unfit for work.”

Employees can enjoy a four-day long weekend if they take Friday off.
Under current workplace laws, an employer can ask their employees to provide evidence, such as a medical certificate, that they are unable to work because of illness or injury for as little as one day or less off work.

Should an employee fail to provide evidence when asked, they may not be entitled to receive sick leave.

“We urge workers to do the right thing – if you want a day off, request annual leave,” Ms Tinsley added.

Chief executive of the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia, Luke Achterstraat, agreed that unplanned staff absences would hurt small businesses that were already experiencing challenging circumstances.

“In Australia, there’s a bit of a casual culture of taking a “sickie” but it’s important to remember for small businesses that comes with a real financial cost,” he said.

Small businesses, including cafes and restaurants, are expected to be most acutely affected.

Labour-intensive small businesses with rostering arrangements, including cafes and restaurants, were most likely to be affected by an uptick in staff absenteeism, Mr Achterstraat added.

“When someone else is paying for it, it sounds like a good idea. But in reality, we know it has a real impact for small business.”

Forecasts from medical certificate provider Sicky showed sick day requests were expected to be 53 per cent higher when compared with other Fridays at this time of year.

Sicky co-founder Avinash Vazirani said he expected Friday April 26 to be the most requested sick day of the year.

More Coverage

Mercury to rise for ‘cheeky’ long weekend
“Quite often it’s because our patients have over indulged or have interacted with infectious people while socialising,” he said.

The Friday following the public holiday marking the death of Queen Elizabeth II, which was similarly held on a Thursday, was also expected to experience a wave of unplanned absences.

Analysis by Finder predicting the phenomenon would cost the economy as much as $460m in lost productivity.

Did you start another thread recently with the same title?

whiteknight wrote on Apr 26^th, 2024 at 8:28am:

Under current workplace laws, an employer can ask their employees to provide evidence, such as a medical certificate, that they are unable to work because of illness or injury for as little as one day or less off work.

No need to go see a doctor.

The employee can provide a statutory declaration if their employer asks for evidence of illness.

greggerypeccary wrote on Apr 26^th, 2024 at 9:31am:

whiteknight wrote on Apr 26^th, 2024 at 8:28am:

No need to go see a doctor.

The employee can provide a statutory declaration if their employer asks for evidence of illness.

Certificates have become almost impossible when you need to make a doctors appointment 3 weeks in advance.

Only crap and desperate workers need a Certificate, excuse, etc to chuck a sickie for a Long Weekend. Crap job, crap Employer.

Excellent Workers have Excellent Bosses who also take Long Weekends.

Dnarever wrote on Apr 26^th, 2024 at 11:16pm:

greggerypeccary wrote on Apr 26^th, 2024 at 9:31am:

whiteknight wrote on Apr 26^th, 2024 at 8:28am:

No need to go see a doctor.

The employee can provide a statutory declaration if their employer asks for evidence of illness.

Certificates have become almost impossible when you need to make a doctors appointment 3 weeks in advance.

Indeed, but they are not required.

An employer might try to tell their employee they need one but they do not.

Legislation states that a statutory declaration is sufficient.

Some bosses are real arseholes.

I agree with Jasin's post, above:

"Excellent Workers have Excellent Bosses who also take Long Weekends."

Chemists are able to give certificates, at least in SA.

Jovial Monk wrote on Apr 27^th, 2024 at 7:09am:

Chemists are able to give certificates, at least in SA.

Interesting. Looks like they charge $30 though.

To save your money, just fill out a Stat Dec and get the pharmacist to sign it as the witness.

WK where are you getting this from?

Saw it on News.com.au. :)

Quote:

You Got To Have A Sickie Now And Again

You did not see this on news.com.au. Yet we have a long list of threads with the exact same thread title.

Why?

I notice one is from Sydney morning herald. I did not know I posted so many on the same topic. :(

Did you come up with the thread title each time yourself, or copy it from somewhere?

freediver wrote on Apr 27^th, 2024 at 11:58am:

WK where are you getting this from?

It's in the OP:

News.com.au
April 25, 2024

Australian Politics Forum
http://www.ozpolitic.com/forum/YaBB.pl General Discussion >> General Board >> You Got To Have A Sickie Now And Again http://www.ozpolitic.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1714084137 Message started by whiteknight on Apr 26^th, 2024 at 8:28am