Federal Budget tonight....

[briggsy's girl]

My employer allows us five days of "undocumented" personal or carers leave all year. After that it is deemed unauthorised leave and becomes leave without pay. And can impact job security. I have no choice but to go to the doctor if myself or dd are sick as I need medical/carers certificates. I hate wasting everyone's time when I have flu or gastro, for which I know there is no treatment but rest and fluids (not to mention the risk of infecting others!) but I have no choice! It's not a case of two or more consecutive days require certificates. It's pretty much every absence. Five absences without evidence sounds like a bit of leeway, but when i have a small child and they are ill with gastro, and i KNOW I sit very near someone who is quite immunocompromised, I adhere to doctors quarantine suggestions, so it takes very little for is to have a need to see a doctor for a certificate.

I am reluctant to believe that pharmacists issuing evidence certificates won't be abided. I know doctors certificates are already abused, but I think pharmacists will be further abused....

No comment on the rest of the budget stuff given I have a migraine and haven't read. Just wanted to comments in the certificate situation

[wysiwyg]

My employer allows us five days of "undocumented" personal or carers leave all year. After that it is deemed unauthorised leave and becomes leave without pay. And can impact job security. I have no choice but to go to the doctor if myself or dd are sick as I need medical/carers certificates. I hate wasting everyone's time when I have flu or gastro, for which I know there is no treatment but rest and fluids (not to mention the risk of infecting others!) but I have no choice! It's not a case of two or more consecutive days require certificates. It's pretty much every absence. Five absences without evidence sounds like a bit of leeway, but when i have a small child and they are ill with gastro, and i KNOW I sit very near someone who is quite immunocompromised, I adhere to doctors quarantine suggestions, so it takes very little for is to have a need to see a doctor for a certificate.

I am reluctant to believe that pharmacists issuing evidence certificates won't be abided. I know doctors certificates are already abused, but I think pharmacists will be further abused....

No comment on the rest of the budget stuff given I have a migraine and haven't read. Just wanted to comments in the certificate situation

There will be people who abuse certificates, but I think the percentage is quite small and you have to wonder, whether the costs involved in making people visit the doctors are worth it just to stop the small number of people who may abuse certificates.

In UK only required a certificate for more than 5 days consecutive absence. I always thought it worked quite well. People did give them for less but only if were visiting the doctor anyway.

[briggsy's girl]

There will be people who abuse certificates, but I think the percentage is quite small and you have to wonder, whether the costs involved in making people visit the doctors are worth it just to stop the small number of people who may abuse certificates.

In UK only required a certificate for more than 5 days consecutive absence. I always thought it worked quite well. People did give them for less but only if were visiting the doctor anyway.

I think your perception will be colored by where you live and what you've been exposed to. I have lived in an area of high unemployment, high welfare dependence and high alcohol and drug use, and have had conversations with more than one gp about the large number of people refused medical certificates because they turn up asking because they are hung over etc. I wonder how the pharmacists are going to weed out the truth from the abusers? I know I the local chemist warehouse offer the service already. No idea how it works though

I went to medico for treatment today, and was told med certificates are slated to change soon anyway. None will be offered unless you have been sick a week - and then you will likely need two visits - one when first ill, one after a week to prove you are still ill. Any other illness, even if you attend the doctor, won't receive a certificate. You'll have to self declare or something. Will be interesting to see how that is accepted by employers!