Vomiting, diarrhoea and flu among best excuses for calling in sick for work

  • 02/02/2018
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With Waitangi Day falling on a Tuesday this year, many Kiwis may be thinking about calling in sick on Monday to get a four-day weekend.

But some excuses may be more believable to employers than others, so choose yours wisely.

A 2015 survey by UK healthcare provider Benenden found vomiting, diarrhoea and the flu are the best excuses, but don't call in claiming a migraine or head cold.

It found 72.9 percent of employers would consider vomiting as a good reason to call in sick, while 71 percent would accept diarrhoea and 58.1 percent would be fine with the flu.

Vomiting and diarrhoea are simple in their disgustingness - no employer wants a worker that could lose their lunch during the day or has to keep scurrying to the bathroom.

Flu is extremely contagious, although it's not exactly common to have it in summer months.

Only 36.5 percent of employers would accept a migraine and just 11.4 percent would be okay with an employee calling in due to a head cold.

Your boss can ask you to prove you're sick, but legally you don't have to give them detailed information about your illness.

Employers can request a medical certificate after three days at the employee's expense.

If an employee has been ill for fewer than three consecutive days, the employer can still request the certificate, but it needs to foot the bill for the doctor's visit.

In New Zealand, all workers should be allowed a minimum of five sick days after six months' continuous employment with the same company.

But Kiwis have proven to be reluctant to call in sick. A 2017 report by Southern Cross Health Insurance discovered 40 percent of workers would turn up to work crook, rather than calling in.

It is better to take time off sick than to let things build up though. Employers are required to allow employees to use their sick leave for workplace stress.

Melbourne Psychologist Dr Vivenne Sullivan told The Age it's important to take a mental-health day, if needed.

"A mental health day is a fantastic initiative that works to reduce the stigma around mental health issues, increase community knowledge and promote mental wellbeing," she said.

Newshub.