Yahoo Finance Shocking cost of a long-weekend sickie
Millions of Aussies are gearing up for a three-day weekend.
Aussies love a long weekend, but many could be planning on calling in sick to extend their time off, research has found.
Workers in Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, the Australian Capital Territory and Queensland will celebrate a public holiday this coming weekend.
And ‘chucking a sickie’ could cost businesses big time. Around one in four Aussie workers admitted to already calling in sick for a non-health-related reason so far this year, costing employers approximately $368 per worker, per day, a new Finder survey revealed.
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The research found ‘wagging work’ around the long weekend could set employers back $980 million in lost productivity.
Warmer weather means Aussies are out and about
Finder money expert Sarah Megginson said Friday - or Monday if you're in Victoria - is shaping up to be a popular day to give work the flick.
“Many people look at the October public holiday as the last proper break before Christmas – the final sprint to the festive season,” she said.
Aussies urged to use annual leave instead
Megginson suggested Aussies should apply for annual leave rather than dipping into sick leave entitlements.
“Sick leave is a safety net if you genuinely get an unexpected illness or injury that requires you to take time off,” Megginson said.
“I had to take a week off unexpectedly this year when I had a surprise kidney infection – knowing I could focus on my health and I didn’t have to worry about money was a real blessing.
“And don’t forget – if you use your sick leave to take a cheeky day off when you’re not actually unwell, posting about your adventures on social media could be your undoing.”
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