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Calling in sick before Australian national holiday to cost economy 62 million Australian dollars: business groups

Xinhua, January 21, 2016 Adjust font size:

Australians will cost the economy up to 62 million Australian dollars (42.99 million U.S. dollars) if they were to call in sick the day before a mid-week national holiday, the nation's business groups are warning.

In a rare event, Australia's annual national holiday marking the anniversary of the 1788 arrival of the First Fleet of British ships at Port Jackson -- founding what is known as Australia -- is next Tuesday, suggesting some might take an extended weekend to have a drawn out celebration.

It's estimated as many as 180,000 Australians will call in sick to work on the Monday before the "Australia Day"national holiday, colloquially known as "chucking a sickie", risking employee reputations and workplace trust, the Australian Chamber of Commerce said Thursday.

"This costs employers about 62 million (Australian dollars) (42.99 million U.S. dollars) nationwide, and the headache of unexpectedly absent staff affects colleagues, customers and business owners," Australian Chamber chief executive Kate Carnell said in a statement.

Australians are known to be jovial over the Australia Day holiday period, partying with friends and celebrating with family over alcohol and barbecued meats at beaches, watering holes or any venue, so its understandable many would seek an extended break.

"Reasonable employers will not begrudge their staff having a well-earned break but it needs to be done the right way," Carnell said.

"It is important workers plan ahead, talk to their employer and use their annual leave if they intend to take the day off."

On Jan. 26, Australia's leaders present a number of community awards in honour of a person's service to the nation while the more contemporary members of society party to a countdown of the top 100 songs played over Australian radio in 2015.

However, other members of Australia consider the celebration to be affront to the nation's indigenous, or first peoples that were readily hunted, killed or made to assimilate into a British lifestyle during colonial and post-colonial rule.

Though Australia was granted autonomy in 1901 and free to self-govern, it is not a republic and remains a Commonwealth state under a quasi-rule by the British Monarchy. Queen Elizabeth II is Australia's official head of state. Endit