Topical 30/8/24

A bemused Topical reader reports: “An Australian worker’s joke confession about how he ‘plays the system’ with sick leave has exposed how many people actually use this method” an online publication records. The worker allegedly said in a video that he doesn’t like to call in sick when he’s actually ill and would prefer to use a sick day for something more fun like ‘going to the beach’. The concept was backed by the ‘Gen-Z founder of a youth mental health charity’ who reportedly advises that ‘a day off can work wonders for productivity down the track, even if a worker isn’t physically sick’. “From a cognitive-behavioural perspective, employees might rationalise taking a sick day when not physically ill as a necessary step to maintain their overall wellbeing, which can be a coping mechanism for dealing with stress or dissatisfaction at work,” she said. “Absolutely correct” Topical’s correspondent agrees. “No one should have to go to work if they don’t feel like it – that’s what makes Australia such a great country.”