Question:
If a worker needs to take time off from work through work related
stress and their sick leave entitlement runs out after a week who pays
for any further time off work which is needed.
Does the worker wear it or is the company or ACC required to pay the
remainder of time off work.
Answer:
Most likely ACC. Your doctor should be able to advise you about what ACC
could offer, without directly asking ACC yourself. In which case they'd
probably want some proof from your doctor anyway.
The long term solution might depend on if the worker is up to the job in the
first place.
Why ACC? Stress isn't an accident. It isn't a physical injury caused
by an external physical force.
ACC has no role in work related stress pay. It is between the worker,
the company doctor and the company.
It depends what is in place in your workplace and what is in your
contract. Most companies have a policy about sick leave and physical
and emotional illness.
You usually have to be assessed by the company doctor if your sick leave
entitlement has 'run out'. Many workplaces have discretion in how much
sick leave they allow.
Most large workplaces have an EAP programme "Employee Assistance
Programme" or regulations/guidelines, and provision for sickleave and
counselling. If you have workplace stress you should be offered EAP
counselling.
If you have run out of paid sickleave, it then becomes unpaid sickleave
and maybe even a sickness benefit.
You need to have good communication with your doctor, your
manager/personnel/HR department and company doctor.
