04 June 2004

Put Up the Evidence for Sick Leave Abuse, CTU Tells Employers

Employers should put up the evidence of widespread sick pay abuse or admit that recent accusations are just part of another political campaign, Council of Trade Unions president Ross Wilson said today.

He was responding to claims from Business New Zealand of widespread abuse of the new sick leave provisions in the Holidays Act 2003 and that employers should watch out for “sickies” on Queens Birthday weekend.

“There have always been some people who will misuse sick leave but there is no evidence that the level is any higher than it ever has been,” Ross Wilson said.

Misuse is usually associated with poor management and poor morale.

“In any event employers have legal rights to address any such situation,” he said. “That includes the legal right in the Act to seek a medical certificate after three days absence.”

It was noteworthy that Business NZ had not produced any evidence of widespread abuse and the CTU was confident that it was not occurring.

“Workers value their sick leave entitlement too much to jeopardise it through misuse,” Ross Wilson said.

ENDS

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New Zealand Council of Trade Unions

Te Kauae Kaimahi

The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi brings together over 350,000 New Zealand union members in 40 affiliated unions. We are the united voice for working people and their families in New Zealand.

CONTACT NEW ZEALAND COUNCIL OF TRADE UNIONS

• Website - union.org.nz/
• Phone - +64 4 385 1334
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• Physical Address - Level 7, West Block, Education House, 178 Willis St, Wellington.

• Media Contact - huiaw@nzctu.org.nz
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• Postal Address - PO Box 6645, Marion Square, Wellington 6141.

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