Bosses have a problem: staff are using their sick leave

(Image: Rachel Mendelson/The Wall Street Journal, iStock)

Tue, 24 Oct 2023

By Te-Ping ChenThe bar for taking a sick day is getting lower, and some bosses say that’s a problem.US workers have long viewed an unwillingness to take sick days as a badge of honor. That’s a laurel workers care much less about these days. The number of sick days Americans take annually has soared since the pandemic, employee payroll data shows. Covid-19 and a rise in illnesses such as RSV, which can require days away from work, are one reason.Managers and human-resources executives also attribute the jump to a bigger shift in...

Unlock all stories free for 10 days

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

We won’t charge for 10 days. You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call. Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].interval) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

You will be charged in 10 days unless you cancel beforehand.
We will remind you three times before charging you.
All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Primary Sector

NZ exporters salivating at possible UAE trade deal

The United Arab Emirates is already an important market for NZ dairy and meat exports.

Staff reporters 9:45am

The Quiz Free

QuiznessDesk: Tuesday, May 07

Test your smarts against our Quizmaster.

The Quizmaster 9:15am

Markets

Toyota, Tata Motors positioned to benefit from hybrid auto boom

Japanese carmakers saw higher North American sales.

Bloomberg 8:00am

Toyota, Tata Motors positioned to benefit from hybrid auto boom

Sponsored

The business redefining skincare

Why Kiwibank quickly got behind global beauty brand Emma Lewisham.

Kiwibank

Sponsored

Next-gen CCTV protecting our cities

Fibre connectivity supporting rapidly evolving CCTV advances.

Chorus

More Work

Work

They chose to take a pay cut – and say they’re happier

Opting for a lower-paid job can earn you a raise – in free time and work-life balance.

The Wall Street Journal 31 Mar 2024

News in Brief

PM heads to Asean-Australia special summit in Melbourne

Prime minister Christopher Luxon is off to Melbourne on Tuesday to meet his Southeast Asian counterparts.He’ll also meet key trans-Tasman business leaders on his two-day trip across the Ditch.Luxon’s meetings with several Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) leaders wil...

Staff reporters 04 Mar 2024