Sickies set to spike on the Monday before Australia Day

With the Australia Day public holiday falling on Tuesday next week, researchers predict a sharp rise in workers taking sickies on Monday.

Taking a sickie is proving to be a burden on Australian business. Source: AAP

The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry is tipping 180,000 workers to call in sick on Monday, costing the country $62 million.

This figure represents five percent of the Australian workforce, which is two percent higher than the normal Monday sickie quota.

The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry say it’s important for workers to speak to their employers ahead of time instead of taking a sick day.

“Employees ‘chucking a sickie’ causes problems for co-workers and managers. Monday is a work day like any other. Businesses need to open, work needs to be done and rosters need to be properly staffed," the ACCI CEO Kate Carnell said in a statement.

Australian Medical Association chair Dr Brian Morton told SBS he personally sees a significant number of patients to approve paid sick leave.

"You take the patient's word,” he says. “But there have to be genuine symptoms and signs to justify the writing of that certificate."

Dr Morton says it is a cost the health system shouldn't have to carry.

"The system needs a change because we don't need to medicalise a workplace issue. The employer can negotiate with employees and make rules.