Belly,

Catch a relax. I have no problem with people that are genuinely sick. If it is dangerous to come to work, then I don't even dock them a sick day. However, if I catch someone bludging by taking a sick day to go to the beach or pub, then I throw the book at them.

The odd home visit gets the message across.

I never had a problem with doctors certificates or sickies.

In mostly small companies, where most people were the only one doing their particular job, we fitted together.

When someone needed to see a doctor, dentist, solicitor, or their kids school, they would make sure the chosen day was suitable, then work before & after their appointment. They would make sure their work was up to date, by working lunch time, or by starting early, & that was it, no paperwork involved.

When they could take the necessary time, they did not find a need for sickies.

As a national company we did not close for show days, or state only public holidays, & staff usually had a couple of these days saved up for when they did want/need a day off for some reason.

I know it may not work in a large company, but it did for us.

Self praise is no recommendation.
In fact quite the opposite for some.
Having been trained as a unionist to present this subject to the workforce I see both sides.
Including the rather good Doctors points radio national Monday morning last.
I wounder how many are aware how truly sick, fellow workers get with the poor ones?
And yes those few, infect the many, a flood of if he/she can get away with it why not.
I think some very bright people post here.
And that with good will, you can find answers.
Problem, current demand for certificates is at cost to us all 60 million dollars a year.
AND even if its clear worker was sick, some demand that document.
EVEN if it is clearly written by a doctor who NEVER SAW the patent sick?
Police, we trust them in so much, and others can be visited at home while sick?
Rewarding those who do not take them can bring sick to work, infecting every one.
I will have a go, stat Dec, standard sick leave one nation wide.
It contains reminder it is a crime to lie.
Offending workers/unexplained absences to be as first step reviewed and if needed put on program, certificates for every absence payed for by boss or him /her
Fine, harshly boss insisting the sick go to work.
I recommend every worker understand a heart attack or similar is much better if you have enough sick leave.
I had eleven weeks when Q fever nearly killed me and used it all, but left near 100 behind, on leaving that job

My industry often adopts a bonus system whereby the staff get a weekly bonus, not huge, but still something.

This bonus does not get paid if there is a public holiday, or, if you are off sick.

Works wel in most cases.

The more they have available the more they take. The real problem is the lack discipline in both employer & employee. The Public Service is the cell which is spreading this cancer.

Explanation, for individual.
Construction, once was based on Government constructors such as RTA.
As the work went to contract the award became an EBA.
As hours worked went from around 55, including some Saturdays, to 60 70 or even 80 a week.
And as work in rain became more usual, sick leave went up.
And it is/was needed.
A single man, near end of project, could well be one of the best workers, highly valued.
Working 7 long days, could need a day of to just refill the food in his donga[hut] or register his car.
That Sicky may be his only one in 3 years.
Commenting on issues you have only a little understanding of is some times unwise.
60 million in costs to us.
Stop forcing good workers to bill us.
In no way am I saying other than manage the problem not the whole.
Rewards need careful consideration, some limp in to work if not being there costs them and mates cash.