New research shows 58 percent of Aussies have called in sick when they’re not really ill. A global survey showed Australia “chucked a sickie” more than most.
The research was conducted on behalf of Kronos, who produce time and motions software. In this edition of BTalk I ask Peter Harte, general manager of Kronos Australia, why he thinks this is happening.
Let’s remember, of course, this is a nation where the Prime Minister sanctioned the idea. In 1983, after Australia won the America’s Cup, a jubilant Bob Hawke stated “any boss who sacks a worker for not turning up today is a bum.”
How do businesses avoid the productivity created by this lost time? Well, making your company a better place to work might help, as well as providing the flexibility so people aren’t backed into a corner — for example, having to say you’re sick when you have a sick child who can’t go to school.
-
Brighter days ahead
As Australia emerges from the longest night, is the outlook brighter? NAB’s Taylor Nugent says this morning’s positive turn in risk sentiment doesn’t mean recession fears have gone away, it could just be covering of short positions from last week.
-
Tariff delays bring swift response; higher CPI in US, higher wages in UK, disastrous ZEW from Europe
A sharp turnaround in market sentiment after the US delays extra tariffs. NAB’s Tapas Strickland says it could be President Trump responding to falling equity markets, but uncertainty over tariffs remains.
-
Britain and Ireland: Destitute, But Are They Happy?
The UK government is to introduce a well-being survey. Oliver Hartwich argues the the strength of the economy will tell you how happy people are.
