Using time wisely works for everyone. Sick time is a key benefit that is intended to provide income security when an employee is sick or injured. Most employees understand it’s an insurance policy—just about everyone knows someone who’s had a serious injury or illness and wouldn’t have been able to pay the bills without paid sick leave. When employees use sick time when they’re not ill, they risk not having enough time when they really need it.

Because taking sick leave as extra days off undermines patient service and care and puts a burden on co-workers, high rates of absenteeism are of concern to management, union leaders and hard-working employees alike.

The 2005 and 2010 National Agreements have a number of provisions intended to improve attendance rates, including additional flexibility in scheduling days off and different options for unused annual sick leave. Understanding sick leave and time-off policies, improving work relationships, and committing to work together to provide the best patient care and service will lead to wise use of sick time.