Workers around the country take sickies between Easter and Anzac Day long weekends

THE calendar was kind to Aussie workers this year, with the Easter and Anzac Day long weekends falling within a week. Did you take a sickie?

With the weather in the sunny mid-twenties in Sydney, many are hitting the beaches.

THE calendar has been kind to Aussie workers this year, with the Easter and Anzac Day long weekends falling within a 10-day period.

For many, the prospect of having 10 days off for the price of three was too tempting.

Many Aussie workers are taking Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday as annual leave this week and getting themselves a great holiday deal. And why wouldn’t you, with the weather so enticing?

There’s good things in store for those hardworking individuals who are keeping the economy going too. The roads are empty and you can get a seat on the trains. The carpark at the Easter show is full though.

Wouldn’t you rather be doing this, than stuck in the office?

But what if you don’t have annual leave stored up? Many of those who didn’t plan ahead are brazenly chucking a sickie to get time off between the long weekends.

Looking forward to a long weekend. Good Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Bank Holiday Monday, Sickie Tuesday.

— Mark Fisher (@JYKelly) April 17, 2014

Totally understand Josh Simpson's position - Who wants to work over the Easter long weekend?! Faked a sickie instead, #smart

— Tbetta (@Tbetta9) April 18, 2014

In Queensland, experts predicted absenteeism would soar by 25 per cent in the midst of back-to-back long weekends, reports the Courier-Mail.

News.com.au contacted a number of HR and employee absenteeism experts to comment on the matter ... but ironically all were on holidays.

So what did absenteeism look like across Australia in 2013?

According to a 2013 report by Direct Health Solutions (DHS), absenteeism rose to 8.93 days on average per employee, a year. This costs the economy $27.5 billion a year in sick leave costs and loss of productivity.

The 2013 survey found that 63 per cent of organisations had absenteeism levels higher than the average target of 6.9 days per employee a year.

Queensland and South Australia had the highest levels of sick leave, at 11.1 days and 10.9 days respectively, reported the DHS. Employees in the ACT took 10.6 days annually. NSW (8.3 days) and VIC (8.7 days) were both below the national average.

“Absenteeism, either for genuine reasons or not, is very disruptive for businesses, and needs to be handled well”, said Paul Dundon, Managing Director of Direct Health Solutions.

The report indicated that illness (e.g. cold and flu, headaches, gastro and mental health) and home and family responsibilities are primary reasons for absenteeism.

Have you or anyone you know taken a sickie this week? Tell us below or join the conversation on Twitter @newscomauHQ