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Information About

Sick Leave





HOW IT WORKS


Sick leave provisions vary by country, state and even industry. Its availability may depend on whether an employee is casually employed or a permanent employee.

Generally, under sick leave provisions, an employee is entitled to certain number of days a year as paid leave for sickness. Conditions may be placed on the leave, such as a medical certificate being required for the period in question.

Under some sick leave provisions, employees can accumulate from leave from year to year.


PROCEDURES ON SICKNESS ABSENCE REPORTING


The employee must usually telephone his/her line manager on the first day of absence, before 10.00 am (varies) depending on the employer.

Most employers allow one or two days of sick leave without certificate, however, longer periods usually require a medical certificate.

On return to work - the employer will fill in a sickness absence form and depending on which firm/place they work at they will be asked to attend a return to work/back to work interview which will be done by their line manager.

For hospital treatment/hospital stay whether for treatment/surgery, the employee must inform their line manager about these as well.


OTHER RELATED FORMS LEAVE




BEREAVEMENT LEAVE


Also called compassionate leave is given to an employee whose immediate (close) family member has died. This also includes the day of the funeral.

Immediate (close) family members include:

  • Parent (mother/father)

  • Mother/father in-law

  • Brother

  • Sister

  • Spouse (husband/wife/partner)

  • Children (son/daughter) - It can also apply to miscarriage/stillbirth/neonatal death

  • Grandparent



HISTORY


Sick leave has its origins in trade union campaigns for its inclusion in industrial agreements. In Australia, it was introduced into "industrial awards" in 1922 {Link without Title}


VARIATION


Casual leave is a variation of sick leave. It is leave from work for reasons other than medical, long service, holiday or family reasons. Casual leave is paid leave for any reasonable reason.


PROVISIONS IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES


Australia

Under the Federal Governments industrial relations legislation (WorkChoices) {Link without Title} eligible employees are entitled to:

  • ten days of paid personal/carer’s leave per year (including sick leave and carer’s leave);

  • two days of unpaid carer’s leave per occasion; and

  • two days of paid compassionate leave per occasion.


Paid personal/carer’s leave can be taken:

  • due to personal illness or injury (sick leave); or

  • to provide care or support for a member of the employee’s immediate family or household who requires care or support due to personal illness or injury, or an unexpected emergency (carer’s leave).

  • Up to ten days of paid personal/carer’s leave in any given year can be used as carer’s leave and personal/carer’s leave is cumulative.



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