Mandatory Sick Days in the Public Sector?

[hammer]

"Can't be done without our agreement - it's illegal to do so.

Govt would fall immediately if they brought in wage cuts without our agreement. "
Quote - Bobbysands81

They brought in a pension levy ( wage cut )

What happened - NOTHING

What if they increase it to 15%

What will happen - NOTHING

[toughbutfair]

I haven't had a sick day in six years in my job and consider anyone relatively young as taken advantage if they use more than two. Okay, somepeople do get sick but if the average is 5 days, they are taken the mickey.

obviously , as people get into their fifties and sixties, they are more likely to breakdown a bit as they get weaker.

Most people in their 20s calling in sick are hungover. Thers should be a way to see whether they have booze in their system after taking sick days.

[X-ray]

would these not be flying on Aer Lingus

this is proof of the sickening pain we have to suffer, ryanair is now almost common place. I actually had to buy a "coffee" too.
we are all in this together

[X-ray]

I haven't had a sick day in six years in my job and consider anyone relatively young as taken advantage if they use more than two. Okay, somepeople do get sick but if the average is 5 days, they are taken the mickey.

obviously , as people get into their fifties and sixties, they are more likely to breakdown a bit as they get weaker.

Most people in their 20s calling in sick are hungover. Thers should be a way to see whether they have booze in their system after taking sick days.

i would not waste a day hungover at work, i save my sickies til i am feeling tip top, sure i have to take the ten or i get the sack.

[InReality]

I think it mainly shows O'leary is a tool when it comes to publicity. will say anything for shock value.

[riker1969]

"Can't be done without our agreement - it's illegal to do so.

Govt would fall immediately if they brought in wage cuts without our agreement. "
Quote - Bobbysands81

They brought in a pension levy ( wage cut )

What happened - NOTHING

What if they increase it to 15%

What will happen - NOTHING

Lets wait and see. My own view is the pension levy is as far as they will get away with. I probably would vote for a strike if anymore cuts came down the line. Why? I have to provide for my family and I think it avoids necessary cuts in public expenditure. The General pop would want to make up its mind whether it wants x amount of teachers,nurses etc. Fire me if you want but I wont be paid peanuts.

Yes, I know we are well paid compared to European counterparts but Im not carrying can while bankers and developers have yet to be pursued in any meanigful way. Spread the pain through tax increases. Im sick of bumping into private sector workers who have not taken cuts but still want me to teach their kids for a lower salary.

[voodoochile]

Lets wait and see. My own view is the pension levy is as far as they will get away with. I probably would vote for a strike if anymore cuts came down the line. Why? I have to provide for my family and I think it avoids necessary cuts in public expenditure. The General pop would want to make up its mind whether it wants x amount of teachers,nurses etc. Fire me if you want but I wont be paid peanuts.

Yes, I know we are well paid compared to European counterparts but Im not carrying can while bankers and developers have yet to be pursued in any meanigful way. Spread the pain through tax increases. Im sick of bumping into private sector workers who have not taken cuts but still want me to teach their kids for a lower salary.

More tax increases? Kill the private sector completely?

Question. If private sector workers have to take a pay cut when their employers fall upon difficult times, why should public sector workers not take a pay cut when their employer is on the ropes?

After all, when your employer was running large surpluses you got a cut out of that.......benchmarking remember? Why not the other way too?

Why do public sector workers feel that they are sacrosanct and everbody else should pick up the slack and maintain their salaries through higher taxes on top of the pay cuts that these private workers have already taken?

Can you see why this attitude pisses people off?

[badboy2]

If you on sick leave for more than two days you are required to produce a cert. If you take more than 5 uncertified days per year you could be in trouble.

And I could be Spartacus.

Lets face it that there is a massive problem of absenteeism in the public sector. Colds and flus are seen as legitimate reasons for a week off here and there.

Doctors notes make the problem worse because most GP's will ask you how much you want off.

The reality is most sick leave in the public sector is a direct consequence of low morale, brought about by the appalling managment that exists in the public sector.

Those that couldn't be bothered working are ignored and suffer from low self esteem. Those that work hard end up carrying entire divisions and are placed under unbearable strain. In the meantime the unions spend the whole time trying to convince us how badly treated we are, resulting in people with excellent terms and conditions being convinced that they are being badly treated.

[badboy2]

Out of interest...

Are people with a disablity more likely to have sick days than people without one? I'm wondering are people with disabilities more likely to have to present themselves for certain treatments etc...

Also if someone is consistently sick in the Private Sector (with genuine certified illnesses), can they be let go?

Yes. Incapacity is grounds for dismissal in both the public and private sector.

Anyone who is not capable of performing their job due to constant ill health can be dismissed. Labour law allows this.

If the employee was to prove that the illness was caused by the job, then the employer could be in trouble.

I tried explaining this to a senior public sector HR person, however they believe their role is to keep their employer out of the labour court and not help manage the workforce in an efficient manner.

[riker1969]

More tax increases? Kill the private sector completely?

Question. If private sector workers have to take a pay cut when their employers fall upon difficult times, why should public sector workers not take a pay cut when their employer is on the ropes?

After all, when your employer was running large surpluses you got a cut out of that.......benchmarking remember? Why not the other way too?

Why do public sector workers feel that they are sacrosanct and everbody else should pick up the slack and maintain their salaries through higher taxes on top of the pay cuts that these private workers have already taken?

Can you see why this attitude pisses people off?

The state is not my employer believe it or not. Its the Board Of management. But accepting that the state pays me (but does not hire or fire me) then I do accept a Pay cut and have already accepted one-the Pension Levy, which in fairness has knocked a fair bit out of my salary. It's further Pay cuts I would have a problem with for reasons already outlined. I would not be against a temp freezing of increments which I think adds about 250m to pay bill each year.
But if the Gov proposes touching my pay again without at least trying to convince me of the validity of that-then I will definitely strike.Its a point of law that an employee must agree to a pay cut.The Government got round that by calling it a pension levy.

If they would try to convince me then I would like to see radical reform of HSE and a real effort to drag some bankers before the courts and a real effort to collect unpaid taxes. I honestly don't think those requests are too much. My employer, as you call the Government, also affects my life in a myriad of ways that your employer (whoever that is) does not. Thus, its way more complicated .