Feds propose changes to public service sick leave policy
Posted June 10, 2013 7:11 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The federal government wants to overhaul its sick leave and disability policies for the public service.
The government announced changes Monday, saying it will make the public service more efficient and effective.
In order to curb a high absence rate in the public sector, Treasury Board President Tony Clement says these changes have to be pushed through.
“We are overhauling an archaic system that does not work for the taxpayer and does not work for the employee,” he said.
Public servants are currently able to bank their sick days to use later, but that may be scrapped in favour of a short-term disability program.
The long-term disability program will also be changed and a new engagement program will be installed to try and help workers get back on the job.
Clement says public servants average 18.2 days of paid and unpaid sick leave every year, while in the private sector it is 6.7 days.
The details of the new systems will have to be negotiated with government unions, Clement added.
