Bosses bracing for workers to pull a sickie this Australia Day.   

    by: Mitchell Toy
    From: Sunday Herald Sun
    January 22, 2012 12:00AM


G'DAY, long weekend. Victorians are seizing the chance to take a four-day rest, with the Australia Day public holiday as a kicker to the festive season break.

As the mercury is set to hang around 30C on Thursday, beaches and holiday spots are expected to be packed to capacity, with hospitality operators reporting bumper bookings for the following three days.

And the great Australian sickie is set to be used by thousands this Friday to extend their time in the sun.

But bosses have been advised to read the riot act to workers who are planning to fake illness to get the day off. 

Lisa Burrell, manager of workplace relations operations at the Victorian Employers' Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said employers would offer leave entitlements this Thursday and Friday while others should make it clear that workers needed to show up.

"It is a really good idea for employers to clarify what is expected around public holidays," she said.

"It's not a restricted trading day, and some employers will require medical certificates for sick days.

"Business does have the ability to reject leave application in some instances."   

Robyn Moser of Cowes Coachman Motel-Flats on Phillip Island said accommodation was booked almost to capacity on Australia Day and the next night as Melburnians planned a four-day frolic.

"They'll chuck a sickie," she said.   

"Most of the bookings I'm getting now are for the Friday to the Saturday."

Brian Harbison of the Comfort Inn Lorne Bay View said about 70 people were expected to stay on Thursday and Friday nights, leaving scarce vacancies.

"A lot of people will make a long weekend of it," he said.

"It's better when they have more time to go to the beach, and the rest."

Swagman wrote on Jan 22^nd, 2012 at 6:50am:



Which all go on the cost of the health budget.

I don't know if its right, someone should have to get a certificate just for one day.   

Swagman wrote on Jan 22^nd, 2012 at 6:50am:

Thats not true at all, just business propaganda - the overwhelming use of sick leave is genuine and entirely due to illnesses related to harsh working conditions, long hours and the stress relating to that which impacts health.   Business should just wonder at the dedication of workers that they do not lose more time due to illness.   I also find the inference on the professionalism and medical care of Doctors incredibly disturbing as business appears to be deliberately trying to intervene in Doctor patient privilege and influence Doctors treatment.

blackadder wrote on Jan 22^nd, 2012 at 7:40am:

Truth is the most powerful weapon against fascist lies.

blackadder wrote on Jan 22^nd, 2012 at 7:54am:

Or deliberate abuse of state and economic power ie seeking to interfere in Employee Dr relations, force people to work long hours, ion harsher conditions for less pay, deliberate Government conspiracy to psychologically breakdown people and change their thinking through fascist mind control techniques of illegal applied abuse of state power....Not so self inflicted - lack of Government and Business responsibility.  Stay away from my Doctors fascists.