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Sick leave ‘abuse’ and the reality
Human resource (HR) experts The Straits Times spoke to noted that it is uncommon for employees to view sick leave entitlements – which typically is 14 days of paid outpatient leave – as something to be fully “consumed”.
Ms Jessica Zhang, senior vice-president for Asia-Pacific at HR company ADP, says most employees do not use up all their sick leave.
The rise of work-from-home arrangements has also blurred the lines between when employees choose to work through minor illnesses and when they should take the necessary rest, the experts said.
Still, concerns persist on the employers’ end. Ms Teo said that while employers recognise medical leave is an entitlement, there may still be an unspoken preference for employees to use it sparingly in order to minimise operational disruptions and prevent abuse.
She added that responsible use of outpatient leave is also often seen as a reflection of professional integrity and respect for workplace norms.
For Ms Tan, a 26-year-old marketing executive who wanted to be known only by her surname, sick leave is meant to extend beyond physical illness to include recovering from mental burnout, and no one should feel guilty about maximising the benefit.
She also has no qualms about “faking the MC”.
“Just be responsible in terms of taking it on days where you don’t have important meetings or deadlines to meet, and end up troubling your colleague to do your tasks,” she said.
She added that those who feign illness to gain a sick day off should avoid posting about it online, or telling their colleagues about it.
On the other side of the equation is a school administrator Ms Eswary.
As someone who is afraid to trouble others, the 62-year-old, who declined to give her full name, rarely takes sick leave and will continue working as long as her illness is not contagious. As such, Ms Eswary finds it frustrating when her colleagues max out their sick leave.
“If you take care of yourself, I don’t think you can get MC to that extent (of using up the total number of days) unless you’re really unwell,” she said, adding that she has often had to cover for absent colleagues.
At her previous workplaces, she encountered colleagues who would openly share that they used sick leave for non-health-related matters - leaving others to pick up the slack.
“You must understand the situation at the workplace. The others have to cover for you, and all of us are also very busy,” she said.
It is a conundrum call centre manager Angie knows all too well. The 52-year-old, who asked to be identified only by her first name, manages a team of 17 and admitted that she sometimes questions the legitimacy of some medical leave certificates.
“Sometimes I wonder if they are really sick. If they have a doctor’s medical certificate, I just have to accept it…but some things, like diarrhoea, you really wouldn’t know,” she said.
While only one or two of her employees tend to use up their full entitlement, the impact on operations is still felt, she said.
“If you are managing a team, you look at the big picture. For some staff, especially junior ones, they are more concerned about themselves,” she said.
https://www.straitstimes.com/business/feel-guilty-when-you-take-an-mc-heres-why-you-shouldnt
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