Call for sick leave from job day one

WELLINGTON: Unions want all workers to be eligible for paid sick leave from their very first day of employment.

From today, changes to double minimum sick leave entitlements from five to 10 days come into effect — but will not benefit everyone.

Sick leave is only available after six months of continuous employment, meaning new employees and people on temporary contracts often face the choice of going to work unwell or going without pay.

First Union strategic project coordinator Anita Rosentreter said the nature of their work put those workers at a disadvantage.

‘‘We have met many workers who have worked in the same industry and often for the same company for 10 or 20 years, they have been working for the company for that long, but they have never, during their time, been qualified to use any paid sick leave.’’

Council of Trade Unions secretary Melissa AnsellBridges said everyone should be eligible for sick leave from their first day on the job.

She said it was important, not just for the employee, but for the whole workplace.

‘‘The reality is, if you do not have access to sick leave and you are living pay cheque by pay cheque, if you get sick, you are probably still going to come to work because you can’t afford not to.

‘‘Then everybody misses out when we spread colds and flu at this time of year, and Covid19 is still a risk.’’

Senior solicitor and employment law expert Jessica Taylor said new employees should talk to their employer about their options if they are sick, because

they might be able to take sick leave in advance or get discretionary sick leave.

She said it was in the interests of employers to be flexible.

‘‘I think we are more aware than ever that it is not great to have people who are unwell in the workplace and that, not only is it not good for morale and lowers productivity, but we are more mindful about Covid19 and how quickly illnesses can spread.’’

Minister of Workplace Relations and Safety Michael Wood said the Government was working on changes to allow employees to start accruing sick leave as soon as they began a new job.

‘‘We are just taking a little bit of time to make sure that we get it right so that, when it is implemented, it can be implemented well and not have unforeseen circumstances.

‘‘I do appreciate the argument about moving forward as quickly as possible but, in this case, we want to measure twice and cut once.’’

Mr Wood hoped legislation would be introduced to Parliament early next year. — RNZ