Don't pull a sickie this Monday

We know it's tempting to get that four day weekend, but calling in sick this Monday could just get you fired, the employers' union warns. while the country's largest workers' union says businesses could use it as an opportunity to cut down their leave balances.

Waitangi Day falls on Tuesday and those with the foresight will already have booked the Monday off to have an extended break.

But that pesky in-between Monday will no-doubt have many of those rostered on wishing they could somehow wheedle their way out of work.

Employers and Manufacturers Association chief executive Kim Campbell warned that workers who didn't show up could face disciplinary action, potentially even getting the sack.

"Not showing up does open the door for disciplinary action, particularly if you're pretending to be sick - you generally need a doctor's certificate these days so don't try that one," he said.

"It's irresponsible anyway ... you can't just not show up because you want a holiday."

It was a particularly risky move in the age of social media, which had caught out wagging workers in the past.

Campbell was not anticipating a great influx of sick days on Monday, however, there would inevitably be a few.

Some smaller companies were closing on Monday anyway to give their staff a break - sometimes because the boss wanted one, too.

National secretary of the country's largest union E tū Bill Newson said employers must be mindful that of the country's 2.5 million or so workers there would inevitably be some who were genuinely sick on Monday, February 5.

Of these, some may not need to go to the doctor and providing a medical certificate for a single day's sick leave was not necessarily a requirement at all workplaces.

This article originally appeared in the NZ Herald and was republished here with permission.