The Rise of Telehealth Sick Certificates Amid Flu Surge in Australia
Australia is currently grappling with an unprecedented surge in flu cases, leading to what some are referring to as a "quiet war" in workplaces. As employers grapple with managing sick leave, many workers find themselves in a bind, as the requirement for medical certificates to validate sick leave becomes increasingly common.
For many employees feeling unwell, the idea of dragging themselves out of bed and visiting a GP is less than appealing. Enter telehealth services, which have become a vital lifeline for Australians. With one in four Australians having accessed telehealth consultations in the past year, it’s clear that this service is becoming a go-to option for many.
Avinash Vazirani, co-founder of the telehealth sick note platform, Sicky, shared insights with Yahoo Finance about the legality of telehealth certificates under Australian workplace legislation. However, he noted a concerning trend: a spike in employers questioning the legitimacy of these sick certificates. Since telehealth services have gained popularity, the app has seen a significant increase in inquiries from employers. Vazirani reported that the number of such inquiries has risen from just one a month last year to three per day now.
He attributed this uptick to a mix of misunderstandings surrounding telehealth and an underlying suspicion that some employees may misuse the system. The rise in scepticism is notable, especially as workplaces become more accustomed to the idea of employees utilising telehealth services for sick leave documentation.
Sicky offers telehealth consultations for a fee of $19.95, which includes a live video appointment with a registered health professional followed by an emailed sick leave certificate. This price point is considerably lower than the average out-of-pocket cost of $43.38 for a standard GP visit.
Vazirani noted that telehealth certificates are not simply being exploited by workers looking to take unnecessary sick days. He emphasised that while there can be misuse of the system, the platform employs trained medical professionals capable of discerning genuine cases of illness from fraudulent claims. In fact, Sicky has rejected around 13% of all certificate requests, a statistic that has seen an increase since the platform’s inception in 2020.
According to Australian workplace law, employers have the right to ask for evidence when employees take sick leave, even if it’s for just a day. This evidence could be a medical certificate or a statutory declaration, the latter of which Australians can easily obtain online through their myGov accounts. However, workplace policies can differ, so employees should consult their individual contracts or agreements for specific requirements.
Vazirani believes that attitudes toward sick leave and telehealth certificates need a significant cultural shift within workplaces. He warned that ignoring telehealth certificates might breach workplace laws and underlined that GPs are increasingly recommending telehealth as a primary option, particularly given the strain on in-person appointments during the current flu outbreak.
As some doctors and experts call for a reevaluation of the need for medical certificates altogether, it’s worth noting that in places like the UK, workers can self-certify their sick leave for up to seven days without needing to provide medical proof.
In conclusion, as Australia navigates this flu crisis, the role of telehealth services like Sicky has become pivotal for both employees needing flexibility and employers managing sick leave processes. With growing acceptance, telehealth may very well shape the future of sick leave in Australian workplaces.
