I have a bit of a cold. Am I sick enough to take a day off work?
June to August is peak flu season in Australia. There are also high rates of COVID circulating, along with other respiratory viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and adenovirus.
Sometimes it's clear when you need to spend the day in bed: you have a fever, aches and pains, and can't think clearly. If it's the flu or COVID, you'll want to stay away from others, and to rest and recover.
But what about if your symptoms are mild? Are you sick enough to take the day off, or should you push through it? And what if you feel pressured to work?
Here's what to consider.
If you are in a client-facing role, such as a teacher or a salesperson, you may also infect others like students or customers.
The risks may be even greater for those working with vulnerable communities, such as in aged care work, where the consequences can be severe.
From an organisational perspective, you are likely less productive when you are not feeling well.
So, whenever possible, avoid going into work when you're feeling unwell.
The COVID pandemic normalised working from home. Since then, more people work from home when they're unwell, rather than taking sick leave.
Some employees join Zoom or Teams meetings out of guilt, not wanting to let their co-workers down. Others - and in particular, some men - feel the need to maintain their performance at work, even if it's at the expense of their health.
A downside of powering through is that workers may prolong their illness by not looking after themselves.
Employees in Australia can take either paid or unpaid time off when they are unwell.
Most full-time employees get ten days of paid sick leave per year, while part-time employees get the equivalent pro-rata.
Employers can ask for reasonable evidence from employees to show they are unwell, such as asking for a medical certificate from a pharmacy or GP, or a statutory declaration. The type of evidence required may differ from organisation to organisation, with some awards and enterprise agreements specifying the type of evidence needed.
While taking a sick day helps many workers recuperate, a significant proportion of workers engaged in non-standard work arrangements do not receive these benefits. There are, for example, 2.6 million casual employees who don't have access to paid sick leave.
Similarly, most self-employed people such as tradies and gig workers do not have any paid leave entitlements. Although these workers can still take unpaid leave, they are sacrificing income when they call in sick.
Research from the Australian Council of Trade Unions has found more than half of insecure workers don't take time off when injured or sick.
So a significant proportion of workers in Australia simply cannot afford to call in sick.
"Presenteeism" is the phenomenon of people reporting for work even when they are unwell or not fully functioning, affecting their health and productivity.
While exact figures are hard to determine, since most organisations don't systematically track it, estimates suggest 30 per cent to 90 per cent of employees work while sick at least once a year.
People work while sick for different reasons. Some choose to because they love their job or enjoy the social side of work - this is called voluntary presenteeism.
READ MORE:
But many don't have a real choice, facing financial pressure or job insecurity. That's involuntary presenteeism, and it's a much bigger problem.
Research has found industry norms may be shaping the prevalence of "involuntary presenteeism", with workers in the health and education sectors more likely to feel obligated to work when sick due to "at work" caring responsibilities.
Leaders set the tone, especially around health and wellbeing. When they role-model healthy behaviour and support time off, it gives others permission to do the same.
Supportive leaders can help reduce presenteeism, while pressure from demanding leaders can make it worse.
Your co-workers matter too. When teams step up and share the load, it creates a culture where people feel safe to take leave. A supportive environment makes wellbeing a shared responsibility.
But for some workers, leave isn't an option. Fixing this requires policy change across industries and society more broadly, not just inside the workplace.
Whether it's your first or fourth cold of the season, many Australians are waking up at the moment with a sniffle, a sore throat or feeling more tired than usual.
June to August is peak flu season in Australia. There are also high rates of COVID circulating, along with other respiratory viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and adenovirus.
Sometimes it's clear when you need to spend the day in bed: you have a fever, aches and pains, and can't think clearly. If it's the flu or COVID, you'll want to stay away from others, and to rest and recover.
But what about if your symptoms are mild? Are you sick enough to take the day off, or should you push through it? And what if you feel pressured to work?
Here's what to consider.
If you are in a client-facing role, such as a teacher or a salesperson, you may also infect others like students or customers.
The risks may be even greater for those working with vulnerable communities, such as in aged care work, where the consequences can be severe.
From an organisational perspective, you are likely less productive when you are not feeling well.
So, whenever possible, avoid going into work when you're feeling unwell.
The COVID pandemic normalised working from home. Since then, more people work from home when they're unwell, rather than taking sick leave.
Some employees join Zoom or Teams meetings out of guilt, not wanting to let their co-workers down. Others - and in particular, some men - feel the need to maintain their performance at work, even if it's at the expense of their health.
A downside of powering through is that workers may prolong their illness by not looking after themselves.
Employees in Australia can take either paid or unpaid time off when they are unwell.
Most full-time employees get ten days of paid sick leave per year, while part-time employees get the equivalent pro-rata.
Employers can ask for reasonable evidence from employees to show they are unwell, such as asking for a medical certificate from a pharmacy or GP, or a statutory declaration. The type of evidence required may differ from organisation to organisation, with some awards and enterprise agreements specifying the type of evidence needed.
While taking a sick day helps many workers recuperate, a significant proportion of workers engaged in non-standard work arrangements do not receive these benefits. There are, for example, 2.6 million casual employees who don't have access to paid sick leave.
Similarly, most self-employed people such as tradies and gig workers do not have any paid leave entitlements. Although these workers can still take unpaid leave, they are sacrificing income when they call in sick.
Research from the Australian Council of Trade Unions has found more than half of insecure workers don't take time off when injured or sick.
So a significant proportion of workers in Australia simply cannot afford to call in sick.
"Presenteeism" is the phenomenon of people reporting for work even when they are unwell or not fully functioning, affecting their health and productivity.
While exact figures are hard to determine, since most organisations don't systematically track it, estimates suggest 30 per cent to 90 per cent of employees work while sick at least once a year.
People work while sick for different reasons. Some choose to because they love their job or enjoy the social side of work - this is called voluntary presenteeism.
READ MORE:
But many don't have a real choice, facing financial pressure or job insecurity. That's involuntary presenteeism, and it's a much bigger problem.
Research has found industry norms may be shaping the prevalence of "involuntary presenteeism", with workers in the health and education sectors more likely to feel obligated to work when sick due to "at work" caring responsibilities.
Leaders set the tone, especially around health and wellbeing. When they role-model healthy behaviour and support time off, it gives others permission to do the same.
Supportive leaders can help reduce presenteeism, while pressure from demanding leaders can make it worse.
Your co-workers matter too. When teams step up and share the load, it creates a culture where people feel safe to take leave. A supportive environment makes wellbeing a shared responsibility.
But for some workers, leave isn't an option. Fixing this requires policy change across industries and society more broadly, not just inside the workplace.
Whether it's your first or fourth cold of the season, many Australians are waking up at the moment with a sniffle, a sore throat or feeling more tired than usual.
June to August is peak flu season in Australia. There are also high rates of COVID circulating, along with other respiratory viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and adenovirus.
Sometimes it's clear when you need to spend the day in bed: you have a fever, aches and pains, and can't think clearly. If it's the flu or COVID, you'll want to stay away from others, and to rest and recover.
But what about if your symptoms are mild? Are you sick enough to take the day off, or should you push through it? And what if you feel pressured to work?
Here's what to consider.
If you are in a client-facing role, such as a teacher or a salesperson, you may also infect others like students or customers.
The risks may be even greater for those working with vulnerable communities, such as in aged care work, where the consequences can be severe.
From an organisational perspective, you are likely less productive when you are not feeling well.
So, whenever possible, avoid going into work when you're feeling unwell.
The COVID pandemic normalised working from home. Since then, more people work from home when they're unwell, rather than taking sick leave.
Some employees join Zoom or Teams meetings out of guilt, not wanting to let their co-workers down. Others - and in particular, some men - feel the need to maintain their performance at work, even if it's at the expense of their health.
A downside of powering through is that workers may prolong their illness by not looking after themselves.
Employees in Australia can take either paid or unpaid time off when they are unwell.
Most full-time employees get ten days of paid sick leave per year, while part-time employees get the equivalent pro-rata.
Employers can ask for reasonable evidence from employees to show they are unwell, such as asking for a medical certificate from a pharmacy or GP, or a statutory declaration. The type of evidence required may differ from organisation to organisation, with some awards and enterprise agreements specifying the type of evidence needed.
While taking a sick day helps many workers recuperate, a significant proportion of workers engaged in non-standard work arrangements do not receive these benefits. There are, for example, 2.6 million casual employees who don't have access to paid sick leave.
Similarly, most self-employed people such as tradies and gig workers do not have any paid leave entitlements. Although these workers can still take unpaid leave, they are sacrificing income when they call in sick.
Research from the Australian Council of Trade Unions has found more than half of insecure workers don't take time off when injured or sick.
So a significant proportion of workers in Australia simply cannot afford to call in sick.
"Presenteeism" is the phenomenon of people reporting for work even when they are unwell or not fully functioning, affecting their health and productivity.
While exact figures are hard to determine, since most organisations don't systematically track it, estimates suggest 30 per cent to 90 per cent of employees work while sick at least once a year.
People work while sick for different reasons. Some choose to because they love their job or enjoy the social side of work - this is called voluntary presenteeism.
READ MORE:
But many don't have a real choice, facing financial pressure or job insecurity. That's involuntary presenteeism, and it's a much bigger problem.
Research has found industry norms may be shaping the prevalence of "involuntary presenteeism", with workers in the health and education sectors more likely to feel obligated to work when sick due to "at work" caring responsibilities.
Leaders set the tone, especially around health and wellbeing. When they role-model healthy behaviour and support time off, it gives others permission to do the same.
Supportive leaders can help reduce presenteeism, while pressure from demanding leaders can make it worse.
Your co-workers matter too. When teams step up and share the load, it creates a culture where people feel safe to take leave. A supportive environment makes wellbeing a shared responsibility.
But for some workers, leave isn't an option. Fixing this requires policy change across industries and society more broadly, not just inside the workplace.
Whether it's your first or fourth cold of the season, many Australians are waking up at the moment with a sniffle, a sore throat or feeling more tired than usual.
June to August is peak flu season in Australia. There are also high rates of COVID circulating, along with other respiratory viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and adenovirus.
Sometimes it's clear when you need to spend the day in bed: you have a fever, aches and pains, and can't think clearly. If it's the flu or COVID, you'll want to stay away from others, and to rest and recover.
But what about if your symptoms are mild? Are you sick enough to take the day off, or should you push through it? And what if you feel pressured to work?
Here's what to consider.
If you are in a client-facing role, such as a teacher or a salesperson, you may also infect others like students or customers.
The risks may be even greater for those working with vulnerable communities, such as in aged care work, where the consequences can be severe.
From an organisational perspective, you are likely less productive when you are not feeling well.
So, whenever possible, avoid going into work when you're feeling unwell.
The COVID pandemic normalised working from home. Since then, more people work from home when they're unwell, rather than taking sick leave.
Some employees join Zoom or Teams meetings out of guilt, not wanting to let their co-workers down. Others - and in particular, some men - feel the need to maintain their performance at work, even if it's at the expense of their health.
A downside of powering through is that workers may prolong their illness by not looking after themselves.
Employees in Australia can take either paid or unpaid time off when they are unwell.
Most full-time employees get ten days of paid sick leave per year, while part-time employees get the equivalent pro-rata.
Employers can ask for reasonable evidence from employees to show they are unwell, such as asking for a medical certificate from a pharmacy or GP, or a statutory declaration. The type of evidence required may differ from organisation to organisation, with some awards and enterprise agreements specifying the type of evidence needed.
While taking a sick day helps many workers recuperate, a significant proportion of workers engaged in non-standard work arrangements do not receive these benefits. There are, for example, 2.6 million casual employees who don't have access to paid sick leave.
Similarly, most self-employed people such as tradies and gig workers do not have any paid leave entitlements. Although these workers can still take unpaid leave, they are sacrificing income when they call in sick.
Research from the Australian Council of Trade Unions has found more than half of insecure workers don't take time off when injured or sick.
So a significant proportion of workers in Australia simply cannot afford to call in sick.
"Presenteeism" is the phenomenon of people reporting for work even when they are unwell or not fully functioning, affecting their health and productivity.
While exact figures are hard to determine, since most organisations don't systematically track it, estimates suggest 30 per cent to 90 per cent of employees work while sick at least once a year.
People work while sick for different reasons. Some choose to because they love their job or enjoy the social side of work - this is called voluntary presenteeism.
READ MORE:
But many don't have a real choice, facing financial pressure or job insecurity. That's involuntary presenteeism, and it's a much bigger problem.
Research has found industry norms may be shaping the prevalence of "involuntary presenteeism", with workers in the health and education sectors more likely to feel obligated to work when sick due to "at work" caring responsibilities.
Leaders set the tone, especially around health and wellbeing. When they role-model healthy behaviour and support time off, it gives others permission to do the same.
Supportive leaders can help reduce presenteeism, while pressure from demanding leaders can make it worse.
Your co-workers matter too. When teams step up and share the load, it creates a culture where people feel safe to take leave. A supportive environment makes wellbeing a shared responsibility.
But for some workers, leave isn't an option. Fixing this requires policy change across industries and society more broadly, not just inside the workplace.
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Dr Lo, who has nearly three decades experience in global and international health, said the abrupt exit of USAID left communities "in the lurch". "It's never good to have one group, whether it's a philanthropist or a country, be a monopoly," she said. "Because when they pull out, this is what happens." The Indo-Pacific still accounts for 25 per cent of global infections, with 6.7 million people in the region living with HIV and malaria rampant in Papua New Guinea. Pacific Friends of Global Health chair Brendan Crabb wants Australia to take up the mantle. "As the US administration dramatically steps back from global health leadership, Australia has a critical opportunity to convene and partner with Asia Pacific countries to advance the health priorities of the region," the Burnet Institute chief executive said. Australia must come to the party with more money to combat climate-related health issues, antimicrobial resistance and future pandemics. That's the bottom line of research that indicates the well-off nation is not pulling enough weight on the world stage to understand, anticipate and respond to emerging international health threats. The Australian government spent just under $630 billion on health between 2017 and 2023, according to a report commissioned by the Australian Global Health Alliance. About $35 billion was directed to health and medical research but just $2 billion was specifically set aside for global research. The country must increase and realign its funding to address and anticipate global health challenges more effectively, the report said. "Despite commendable efforts, Australia's investment in global health research lags behind its international peers," it said. "Key areas such as the impact of climate change on health, antimicrobial resistance, and pandemic preparedness are notably underfunded." 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It comes after US President Donald Trump's administration dismantled the US Agency for International Development, cutting funding to its aid programs worldwide. Dr Lo, who has nearly three decades experience in global and international health, said the abrupt exit of USAID left communities "in the lurch". "It's never good to have one group, whether it's a philanthropist or a country, be a monopoly," she said. "Because when they pull out, this is what happens." The Indo-Pacific still accounts for 25 per cent of global infections, with 6.7 million people in the region living with HIV and malaria rampant in Papua New Guinea. Pacific Friends of Global Health chair Brendan Crabb wants Australia to take up the mantle. "As the US administration dramatically steps back from global health leadership, Australia has a critical opportunity to convene and partner with Asia Pacific countries to advance the health priorities of the region," the Burnet Institute chief executive said.
