The cost to the South African economy has been enormous due to employees taking sick leave. The latest statistics show that R3.9bn worth of output was lost last year to sick leave and absenteeism.

Despite employment numbers being virtually the same, the number of employees who take sick leave has increased by an alarming 397% from 2000.

Abuse

It is staggering to note that 25% of employees use the entire statutory allocation for sick leave (36 days per 3-year cycle for 6-day workers). “It seems that some employees view sick leave days as a right or an additional source of leave to supplement their annual leave”, says Johan Botes, a specialist in employment law and labour relations. But, did you know that abusing sick leave is paramount to fraud and can lead to dismissal?

Paid sick leave is intended to provide employees with a salary while they are ill; it’s not something an employee is entitled to, it’s a benefit that the employee may apply for if the requirements, such as a valid doctor’s certificate, are being met. However, many employees feel that they are owed sick leave and, if they don’t use it, they lose it.

Excuses, excuses!

A study of sick leave information from more than 60 companies in South Africa with over 150000 employees showed that Monday and Friday are the favourite days for abusing sick leave. Flu, gastro and lower back pain are the most popular ailments of choice as these illnesses are relatively easy to fake. These illnesses also have quick recovery times, making it easier for a person who took the false sick leave to show up the next day looking fine without raising too many suspicions. Doctors may also be fooled when a person says he or she has a headache, or describes the same flu virus symptoms as everyone else.

Sick leave has a time and place

While you can do everything possible to prevent becoming ill, such as having a flu injection and washing your hands frequently, you may become sick … for real. When you do, you are encouraged to stay home, as sick people often don’t work at 100% capacity due to discomfort or the side-effects of medication. You may also cause more damage to productivity by infecting others.

 

Sources

http://www.fin24.com
http://www.hrpulse.co.za

 

Revised by M Collins