Bunking costs SA R12bn a year

Cape Town - Absenteeism in the workplace costs the South African economy about R12bn a year and needs to be tackled, especially in the present economic downturn.

This is the contention of Terry Berelowitz, medical director of Occupational Care South Africa (Ocsa). "Companies are currently really suffering because employees reckon they are entitled to a certain number of days of sick leave a year, and take it under false pretences."

According to Berelowitz, not all doctors are guilty, but there are many who too easily issue sick-leave certificates. "It is general practice for doctors to prescribe a week's sick leave for general illness, without checking after two or three days whether it is necessary."

"It's a myth that the doctor providing the sick-leave certificate has total authority, as this can be questioned."

In terms of the law employers may question and control absenteeism. Berelowitz points out that an employer may contact the doctor who issues the sick leave certificate and request a full report.

He suggests that employers keep an eye out for employees who tend to be absent before and after weekends, as well as from nightshift. Furthermore, employees consulting various doctors producing different diagnoses over the year are also often opportunists.

Michael Bagraim, a partner at Bagraims Attorneys & Labour Law Specialists, says if employees suspect sick-leave certificate fraud, the matter can be investigated. Should a disciplinary hearing prove that fraud was committed, the person can be dismissed.

Berelowitz believes that if South Africa, like Britain, should move towards obtaining reports indicating an employee's fitness for work despite ill health, this would largely solve the problem.

"Certificates such as these indicate the type of work an employee is capable of performing, even though ill," he explains.

-Sake24