Distress induced to employees from superiors at a workplace is one reason that is causing the former to take sick leave, a seminar on sick leave management heard from a number of speakers.
Throughout the event, titled Sick Leave Management in Today's Working Environment, organised by the Committee of Human Resources within the Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry, last Thursday, the work environment and its impact on employees was a recurring topic throughout the debate, highlighted on a number of occasions by various speakers, amongst other factors.
Addressing the seminar, Doctor David Attard said that as a health consultant for the industry, the role of a company doctor involves taking into consideration the dangers within the work environment, according to a report issued by UHM Voice of the Workers. He spoke about the effects of work on the health of workers and added that the "management of sick leave is the prerogative of the employers," the report said.
With regards to people not going to work because of sickness, Attard said, that the bad attitude of the employer over the workers is a reason why workers do not report for work. Attard also stressed the importance for the company doctor to know his workers
"We shouldn't only look at medical issues but we also need to look at cases such as cases of bullying by superiors in the place of work, or trouble within the family," claimed Attard.
He stressed the need for Human Resources (HR) Managers to, as much as possible; know the history of their workers, the report said.
Attard said that the practice of gaining a medical certificate from certain family doctors had deteriorated and that a number of workers are gaining a week of sick leave without the real need for it.
For this reason Attard stated his wish to see a more personal relationship between the doctor and patient.
Yakob Zahra, the Director of the (People Support and Wellbeing) division of People and Standards in the Office of the Prime Minister also stated the need to analyse the trends for sick-leave, with particular emphasis on the motivation and satisfaction of work.
Within the discussion, lawyer Matthew Brincat also alleged that certain doctors give out medical certificates haphazardly and appealed that they are professional in the work and not abuse of the situation.
He also said that the biggest issues leading to sick leave is stress from work and it would be good if the workplace takes care of mental health of their employees.
Chief Executive of UHM, Voice of the Workers highlighted that the situation with regards to sick-leave when a child of the employee falls sick is also an issue which needs to be looked into, since both parents and sometimes even grandparents remain working.
He highlighted the importance of flexible working hours and the Nordic model where one of the parents is ready to work part-time in order to tend to family needs.