BellyBelly Life Subscriber
I think sick leave entitlement depends on the award. I know for nurses we are not required to provide a medical certificate unless we are taking more than three consecutive sick days. If she is required to support her sick leave and she cannot do so, then I imagine you would not be required to pay it, and to either give her leave without pay, or bring forward her termination date to the last day worked.
Registered User
I think it depends on the employer. Either way, its gonna look suss when she quits, they're gonna realise she wasn't actually sick. The other thing is that if she hasn't given notice, they're allowed to dock her pay in lieu, depending on how long she's worked there, so it may not be worth it for her to take the sick leave.
Registered User
what are the terms for your workplace? I know at my work we had to provide a medical certificate if we took more than 2 days sick leave.
I know I tried to use up most of my sick days before I went on maternity leave...but that was one day every week or so
Registered User
I would approach her on the rumours. I would say if she has a valid certificate that there isn't much you could do. However i would think a good detailed reference from you would be more important than taking those days off to get her 'entitled' sick leave. Although you apparently can't write anything bad in a reference you don't have to write anything too detailed especially if she has let you and herself down in that last week... the old saying goes "if you can't say anything nice don't say anything at all'.. On the other hand it may be better for you to not have her there anyway if thats her attitude, she may bring everyone else down...another old saying applies here too "good riddance to bad ..." enjoy
Registered User
Childare it is two days - these type of employess are frustrating....
Registered User
Sure are aren't they ...
Thanks for all of your responses I think it seems as long as she provides the certificate we pay her the leave.
If anyone is wonder, no it isn't me asking in disguise
Registered User
Maybe you could ask her and come to some kind of arrangement. Tell her you know of her plans and offer her a percentage if she doesn't take the week off. In a round-a-bout way suggest that this could affect any references too and you will mention it to any potential new employer.
Seeing as she has been good enough to not use her sick leave for the fun of it (as many many do) she's probably frustrated that it's going to go to waste. I have been in the same boat and my DH walked away from about $35,000 in accumulated sick pay and said he felt like an idiot for always doing the right thing by his former boss!
Registered User
Not everywhere.
Honestly, walking away from sick leave is one of the most wonderful things you can do. It is a LOT better than having to use it.
I once worked with a girl who joked about having 4 months of sick leave accrued, and laughed about how she'd never get to use it. She had a stroke in her late 20s and had well over a year off work. So she got to use her sick leave. It didn't go to waste, but I'm sure she'd much rather have been able to walk and talk and function through that year that she didn't work.
This kind of employee is really annoying, but is there more to it? Does she feel like she deserves it because she feels exploited in some other way?
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