Study says sick employers should stay home or risk bringing their workplace down

Business owners must make it a priority to set an example for employees when they fall sick by seeing a doctor as soon as possible, the Australia Institute has warned.

The group warns that 27% of Australians reported being too busy to go to the doctor when they should. Australia Institute executive director Richard Denniss says these figures include business owners as well, and that setting a bad example can be disastrous for a business.

“The data doesn’t distinguish between self-employed and the non self-employed, but we know they are included and they work some of the longest hours in the labour market. If these issues are related to the hours we work, it’s very likely the problems here are much greater than in other countries.”

“They simply need to lead by example. I understand SMEs are sick of being told how to run their organisations, but many don’t spend enough time investing in management,” he says.

Denniss says SME owners and managers need to start implementing policies for themselves, not just for employees. He says if owners are sick and don’t spend enough time going to a doctor, they are setting a poor example and employees are sure to follow.

“I understand SME owners are too busy rescuing the crisis of the day and they find it hard to invest in going to see a doctor. But the management here applies just as much to running their own business, and it takes leadership to see a doctor and set that example.”

Denniss also points out the figures show employees will turn up for work sick if they see their employers doing the same. And by doing so, he argues, there is a big productivity loss.

“I think sickness has impacts on productivity at every level. In the short run, you have people coming to work who are not getting better any quickly, and they’re not going to be as productive when they’re feeling sick.”

“They are also making their colleagues sick. There is a reason doctors tell you stay home, and that is to stay away from the office so you’re not infecting other people. It’s not about you, it’s about other people as well.”

Denniss says this applies to business owners too: they should follow the same rules and stay away if necessary. Duties should be delegated so business owners and employees feel they have enough time to visit a doctor.

“People who won’t go to the doctor and get treated are far less likely to have a chronic disease detected early, and they end up being sicker for longer. That is going to reduce productivity and if it goes on, life expectancy as well.”

Denniss points to studies that show untreated sickness, combined with the anxiety and stress of a much greater workload, can lead to depression. If left untreated, he says depression in just one employee could cost an organisation nearly $10,000 a year in lost productivity.

He says the best cure is prevention, and recommends sending employees to a doctor straight away if necessary.

“They need to go the doctor, and that includes business owners as well. We can create myths about ourselves being superman or superwoman, but we have an immune system and that is weakened by fatigue.”

“There are laws about sickness, but much of what we do is determined by the culture of industries and organisations. Remember, employees should not be coming to work while sick just to show how committed they are. It’s a problem in the long term, and employers need to learn by example.”