Know Your Rights At Work: Sick Leave
PSA Members are reminded of their sick leave entitlements under cl 79 & 80 of the Crown Employees (Public Service Conditions of Employment)
cl 80.1 A staff member absent from duty for more than 2 consecutive working days because of illness must furnish evidence of illness to the Department Head in respect of the absence.
and;
cl 80.2 In addition to the requirements under subclause 79.2 of clause 79, Sick Leave of this award, a staff member may absent themselves for a total of 5 working days due to illness without the provision of evidence of illness to the Department Head. Staff members who absent themselves in excess of 5 working days in a calendar year may be required to furnish evidence of illness to the Department Head for each occasion absent for the balance of the calendar year.
This means that you are only under an obligation to provide a medical certificate if you have had more than two consecutive sick days or more than five cumulative sick days in a calendar year.
Attending a Medical Appointment due to a work injury:
PSA members are also reminded that if you sustain an injury at work that requires medical attention, a staff member or manager can accompany/drive you to a medical center, but you cannot be directed to allow the accompanying staff member to attend the medical examination with the treating doctor.
If your manager is requesting a medical certificate outside of these circumstances above, or you have been directed to have a staff member or injury management officer present during a medical examination, please contact the Member Support Centre on 1800 772 679, your workplace delegates or organiser.