Australia Day sickies decline and save business millions

Australian business is set to save millions of dollars this Australia Day as the public holiday falls on a Friday. 

Companies will be spared thousands of workers crafting extended breaks by bridging ‘sandwich weekends’ with sick days.

The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) predicted last year that 200,000 people would skip work the day after Australia Day, which fell on a Thursday, to have four-day weekends. 

The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry predicts no abnormalities in the amount of sick leave after an estimated 200,000 workers skipped work after Australia Day last year (file image)

But this year it predicts no abnormalities in the amount of sick leave set to be taken around the long weekend. 

ACCI chief executive James Pearson said order will likely be restored, as the calendar automatically serves up a three-day weekend to many workers. 

‘We anticipate no greater or less use of sick leave entitlements being taken on or around Australia Day this year,’ Mr Pearson told Daily Mail Australia. 

Millions of dollars will be saved after last year’s mass sickie cost Australian business more than an estimated $62million, according to ACCI research. 

Last year’s mass sickie cost Australian business more than an estimated $62million (stock image)

Australia Day will fall on a Friday for only the fourth time in the past 24 years.  

Mr Pearson also reminded workers that sick leave shouldn’t be abused and should be treated as a privilege. 

‘It should only be used in accordance of what it is designed for, it should only be used when you are ill,’ he said. 

A survey by employment software company Tsheets found only 52 per cent of workers who take sick leave are actually ill, Cairns Post reported.