Melissa Coleman
Thousands of Aussies might be tempted to ‘chuck a sickie’ tomorrow after Queen Elizabeth’s mourning public holiday.
Last Sunday Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that the National Day of Mourning on Thursday 22 September would be recognised as a public holiday.
The enticing prospect of a four-day long weekend could be more alluring than our government expected for most compatriots in our fair states and territories.
Workers in Melbourne are already guaranteed a four-day weekend with Grand Final Friday tomorrow, and Western Australian employees could bag a rare five-day weekend as their Queen’s Birthday holiday falls on Monday 26 September.
According to new research from Finder about Australians calling in sick for non-health related reasons, the implications of wagging work on Friday could cost the economy as much as $461 million.
The survey cited that it was estimated one in eight Australians, or 1.7 million workers, have missed work for reasons unrelated to their health, costing nearly $354 per employee per day.
Perhaps the most disappointed people in the nation are the journalists who unfortunately, and tongue in cheek of course, are still tapping away on their keyboards today.
There are usually 11 public holidays recognized throughout Australia, including one held in June for the Queen’s Birthday even though the day does not match her April birthday.
