Forum: More open communication can help address workplace MC abuse

I refer to the article “Feel guilty when you take an MC? Here’s why you shouldn’t” (June 23).

I’m concerned by the negativity around taking sick leave, especially where MCs are linked to performance evaluation and cases of employees faking sickness and abusing the system.

I have come across former colleagues and friends who maximised or fully utilised their annual paid sick leave entitlement of 14 days for various reasons. Some of them were genuinely sick or had medical appointments. Others needed to attend to family matters, and they were not allowed to apply for annual leave by their bosses.

I support the call for more open and honest communication between management, human resource personnel and employees, to avoid any distrust and resentment in the workplace. 

Companies could allow a set number of sick days each year without requiring a doctor’s visit. These days could count towards the statutory 14-day paid sick leave entitlement.

Workers who are genuinely sick or experience fatigue should be allowed time off to rest at home and not “be forced” to come to work. Superiors should also check in on their subordinates’ physical and mental well-being regularly, and not only during performance appraisal or when there are major issues affecting the daily operations.

Muhammad Dzul Azhan Sahban