Sick leave -- Cushion or entitlement? A study of age cohorts' attitudes and practices in two Australian workplaces

Stereotypes of older people suggest that they may experience more sickness and injury therefore may not be as productive as younger employees. The present paper attempts to test these stereotypes and reports research into patterns of sick leave in different age cohorts and attitudes towards the use of sick leave. The research was carried out at two case study sites. Managers were interviewed and focus groups were held with workers. A complex pattern was found, suggesting structural issues such as sick leave entitlements, workplace organisation, and flexible work patterns interacted with managers' and workers' attitudes, age, gender and family responsibilities. Flexible workplace hours, and part payment for unused sick leave and insecurity of employment appeared as important factors in reducing absenteeism. The most striking finding was that older workers past pensionable age took the least sick leave. Older workers were careful to conserve sick leave as a 'cushion' for serious illness. Workplace pressures especially those resulting from the failure of management to replace absent workers resulted in work pressure on peers and thus reluctance of workers to take leave.