Up to 200,000 expected to call in sick after Australia Day
More than 200,000 Australian workers are expected to endure sudden, yet short-term flu like symptoms on Friday, just one day after Australia Day and one day before the weekend.
Businesses around the country are being told to expect a few Friday morning phone calls from their employees as the prospect of a four-day weekend appears too good to pass up.
News Corp reports that the influx of sick days could cost Australian businesses more than $62 million, with employees now being urged to apply for a day of annual leave instead.
The news is a little better for union members in construction, forestry, mining and energy with Friday one of 26 RDOs for 2017.
“Public holidays that occur during the working week make project management of commercial construction far more difficult and costly,” A Masters Builders Association spokesman told News Corp.
“Unlike the domestic building sector, commercial constructors must operate under restrictive union-controlled working day calendars.”
Meanwhile Alcohol Harm Program’s associate professor Diana Egerton-Warburton said the excessive consumption of alcohol products during celebratory weekends placed a huge burden on the “already overstretched emergency departments
New South Wales currently has thirteen public holidays but apparently not enough for some social media users who insist it's "in the constitution" to chuck a sickie after Australia Day.
"National institution to chuck a sickie," Anthony wrote on Facebook.
"I believe all public holidays should be placed before or after a weekend in lieu of the day. It makes no sense economically to have them in the middle of the week even if they land on that day," Margaret Lillian added.
Today's top news stories- January 23
