Death of the great Aussie sickie

Previously, the ‘Aussie sickie’ has seen many employees take time off here or there to spend a mental health day at the beach, recuperate from a long night on the tiles, or extend a long weekend. Doona days might be a thing of the past, however, as employees put more pressure on themselves to soldier on.

Death of the doona day?

Employment experts suggest the great Aussie sickie is well and truly in decline, with an increasing number of staff choosing to work through illness in the office, or volunteering to work from home while unwell.

There are a number of economic and social factors contributing to the demise of sick days. Given the current financial climate many businesses are already running understaffed, and while all good employers encourage workers to take time off to recover from illness, an increasing number of employees are taking it upon themselves to continue working when they should be home – often because they feel there is no one to pick up the slack if they’re away.

There are a number of economic and social factors contributing to the demise of sick days.

Similarly, while a wider acceptance of flexible working arrangements and telecommuting has opened up many new opportunities, it has also made constant connectivity the norm – meaning many employees never truly ‘log off’ professionally. Where in previous years staff who were sick or injured were likely to stay home and recuperate, many now feel some self-imposed obligation to continue working via a virtual home office – demonstrating that constant connectivity isn’t always beneficial.

The real issue with sickie decline

It seems the current economic climate, and subsequent impact on perceived employment security, has even permanent workers reluctant to take their full sick leave entitlements.

The key problem with employees working through genuine illness is that soldering on can delay recovery time, infect others and even prove detrimental to long-term health. And, as anyone who has gone in to work while full of the flu knows, those days are usually not productive, given it can be tricky to work to capacity with a fever-addled brain and a nose that won’t stop running.

Though employees may be putting undue pressure on themselves to turn up to work when ill, it’s important to note that this can lead to burn out and feelings of work/life imbalance. Personal and sick leave is available for a reason, and as long as it’s not taken advantage of, all good employers would rather have happy, productive staff who take time off when they need to, to look after their wellbeing.

What job seekers should keep in mind

It’s suggested that almost 40 percent of the current Australian workforce is comprised of casual workers, contractors and those who are employed via agencies. That means around four out of every 10 workers do not receive the same entitlements as a permanent employee – ensuring a day off sick is simply not an option for those among them who cannot afford to lose a day’s pay.

If you are currently seeking employment, but you’re uncomfortable asking about personal and sick leave entitlements before you’ve secured a position, you should be able to determine your potential entitlements by asking questions such as:

• How do staff and teams collaborate on projects?
   
• What support systems are in place to help staff deal with unexpected absences?
   
• Can you tell me a little about the company culture?
   
• How is work/life balance encouraged at Company X?

Of course, taking time to look closely at your contract once you have been offered a position is vital. If you have any questions relating to personal and sick leave that are not answered by your contract, it’s entirely appropriate to run over your questions with your HR contact before accepting a role.