Karen Killalea is a partner and head of Maples & Calder’s employment practice in the Maples Group’s Dublin office
In some workplaces, it was a badge of honour to show that you could struggle on through when not feeling well. But it is no longer a sign of resilience to present in a workplace with something even as pedestrian as symptoms of a common cold. It is now regarded as culturally unacceptable. They have considerable empathy and support for those who are chronically or temporarily ill. The population wide risk from Covid-19 over the past two years has taught managers and colleagues to be patient and empathetic for the most part.
Employees must also provide their employer with a medical certificate covering their absence and employers must keep records of all statutory sick leave taken. At the date of writing, this law needs to be formally commenced and that is expected to happen in the coming weeks.