In July 2010 the Government announced a number of changes to employment law including that employers will be able to request medical certificates from employees who take a day off sick.  This policy change appears to be creating quite a bit of discussion amongst early childhood teachers, workers, and employers.

Worries are being expressed about whether their employer will tell them to see a doctor who does not know them or what the repercussions might be if they can’t get an appointment on the day they are sick.  And what happens if when they get an appointment they are no longer sick.  What you need to know is that you can see your own doctor.  It’s very unlikely that any employer would request a medical certificate for a day off work when you are sick unless you have a repeated pattern of sickness or the employer believes you are faking (e.g. has seen you out shopping when you say you have the tummy bug).  Employers must pay for the cost of your doctors’ appointment if they request you get a medical certificate – so this is a financial disincentive to employers to ask you to get a medical certificate unless they believe it necessary.  

From the employers perspective – requesting a medical certificate may not help with the issue of a an employee taking a large amount or unnecessary sick leave.  Often doctors’ certificates don’t provide details beyond ‘Jane is unfit for work for --- days’.  

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