Vincent Marmarà, Research and Statistical Consultant

Sick leave is a right and a necessary benefit for all employees that can be utilised to address health and safety requirements without losing one’s pay and can be thus considered to be one of the most important working conditions of every employee. As in many other situations, one will always find individuals who will try to abuse of systems which are in place. This can be successfully tackled by recognising the problem and intervening early before it escalates and by not only having to deal with sick leave abuse but by encouraging appropriate leave use.

Reasons for taking sick leave vary across the board. A common period that is mostly synonymous with sick leave occurs during December and January, when the seasonal influenza is very high across the whole country. Hence, since seasonal influenza is very infectious, people are encouraged to stay at home due to this contagious illness. On the other hand, the lowest period associated with sick leave is during the summer period, when people take the highest number of annual leave days; at the same time this period is associated with lower illnesses. In fact, this period is not related to illnesses such as influenza. Injuries, colds, headaches, psychological factors and medical interventions are all some of the other reasons why employees take sick leave.

READ: Government workers take three times more sick leave

Only a small portion of the population exploits sick leave policies

The sick leave data reported to the department of Social Security gives the number of incapacity days reported by government employees and public entities, private sector, self-employed and the unemployed. The number of incapacity days in the private sector is the highest; however, there is a higher number of employees in the private sector when compared to employees in the government sector. In fact, the average number of incapacity days per employee is higher among government employees and public entities. The average incapacity days for female employees is higher than male employees. Although the average number of incapacity days per employee in the private sector is the lowest, one needs to ensure that data is being collected in the same way across all sectors. Hence, it is important to ensure that all different sectors are reporting all the sick leave days, for example, also including one and two days sick leave periods.

Recently, there have been a number of attacks on workers’ rights, including sick leave as well as half days during the summer period. Furthermore, public holidays were very recently heavily debated as well. The government has made its position clear that it is not against entering any discussions about the subject; however, ultimately we must protect workers’ rights and not weaken them. The government acknowledges that there are cases where people abuse of some work conditions, but we cannot punish the majority who are actually behaving ethically and correctly. The government is in a continuous effort to ensure that social conditions are being given to those who require them. Furthermore, we are fully committed to create robust systems and adequate mechanisms to ensure that any abuses are well monitored and controlled.

READ: Employers suggest not paying for first day of sick leave 

One needs to give enough credit to employees for the economic successes of this country. This is only made possible thanks to the work being carried out by employees across all sectors and the hours of personal effort spent by each employee which lead to improving our country. Occasionally, negative perceptions tend to influence the perceptions of the public when compared with positive perceptions that in turn instil tranquillity and a happy workforce. Negative perceptions tend to move faster across society than positive perceptions. However, the government strongly believes that the absolute majority of the workers are responsible when dealing with their working conditions. Only a small portion of the population exploits sick leave policies and working conditions and we are fully committed to ensure such individuals are well scrutinised and disciplined when required to regulate absenteeism and the pattern of abuse of attendance policy violations but simultaneously increasing morale and productivity to ensure a satisfied and content workforce.

Ivan Castillo, President of Solidarijetà Ħaddiema Partit Nazzjonalista

Research shows that public sector employees consume three times as much sick leave as those employed in the private sector and this is a rising trend. The question as to why this is happening does not have one categorical answer.

Sick leave is generally resorted to when an employee is not well enough to carry out work duties. Unfortunately, however, this is not the only reason why sick leave is taken and the underlying issues are more complex than one would expect.

To better understand the situation, one must first acknowledge that the civil service employs people from all walks of life and hailing from different parts of the Maltese islands. Their only common factor is that they are employed by the government, which provides a different environment when compared to private sector employees. This, in turn, creates an environment that encourages the abuse of sick leave.

OPINION: Why workers abuse sick leave

Another situation that may be the cause of excessive sick leave being taken is the lack of ownership by civil servants. Now it would be unfair to put everyone in the same basket, however, many of the public sector employees I meet feel they are not given ownership of their work, they do what they are told needs to be done and it stops there and they are not solely to blame.

Sick leave is an employee’s right and that right should in no way or form be changed… It should neither be abused, however

After working for years on end in the same job, with little to no advancement, and watching a less qualified and less experienced colleague, who comes out of nowhere, getting a better position or a higher pay would put a damper on anyone’s enthusiasm and sense of initiative.

Unfortunately, this has become common practice within the public sector and many of those affected by this situation are not likely to hesitate in deciding to resort even if not really required. Indeed, many do so in reaction to the promotion they did not get.

Another common factor that is causing such problems within the public sector are collective agreements. Now, please, do not get me wrong. I think collective agreements should be introduced in all sectors and in all places of work. It is difficult if not impossible to hinder the positive effects of a collective agreement.

All public sector employees enjoy the benefits of collective agreements and that’s how it should be. Collective agreements are there for a reason, that is, to see that workers’ rights are adhered to and to promote better working conditions.

One would realise that more sick leave can provide a civil servant with better working conditions if one considers the social aspect when discussing a collective agreement and understanding the cases of long-term illness or when recovering after undergoing an operation.

However, unfortunately, this also has it negative side. Being entitled to more sick leave also encourages employees to resort to it more often once it is available.

I am positive there are a number of other reasons because, as I have already said, there is no one common factor. The environment, culture and knowing that it is not one person paying for it can all be added to this list. However, the bottom line is that sick leave is an employee’s right and that right should in no way or form be altered, changed, transformed or reformed. It should neither be abused, however.

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