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BUSINESS NEWS - The latest 'broken bone' in society isn't a fracture of the arm or leg - it's the sick note.
Once a simple tool to protect both employee and employer, it's now being misused through forgery and fabrication.
According to Kassie Karstens, general manager at Easycare, this growing trend is a far bigger problem than just a workplace nuisance.
At first glance, all might look convincing, typed perfectly, scribbled vaguely, or printed with a fake logo. But look closer and the cracks begin to show.
According to the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) and the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), an Easycare medical certificate must include:
- The patient's full name (no "To whom it may concern" nonsense)
- The date and time of consultation
- A clear statement of unfitness for work or school, based on actual medical examination
- The exact duration of unfitness
- The date of issue
- The healthcare practitioner's full details (name, qualifications, practice address, HPCSA or Sanc registration number, professional designation)
- The practitioner's signature
- In the fight to prevent fraud, Easycare has added the Easycare QR code to all sick notes - this special 'backbone' can be scanned by employers to verify the authenticity of the certificate. When scanned, the employer will be able to view the prescribers and patients' initials, as well as the date of the original sick note. If this differs, you have a problem.
Also remember, not everyone with a stethoscope or white coat qualifies to write a sick note. Legally, only:
- Doctors (HPCSA-registered, any length of absence)
- Dentists and clinical psychologists (also HPCSA-registered)
- Professional nurses with a primary healthcare (PHC) qualification (registered with Sanc, up to two consecutive days only, within their scope).
According to Stephan van der Merwe of Career Integrity, both the Council for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) and the courts take a firm stance against employees who knowingly submit fraudulent medical certificates.
"The submission of a fraudulent document is inherently dishonest. What compounds the misconduct is that the employee simultaneously claims payment for benefits to which they are not entitled."
He says it is essential for employers to verify the authenticity of medical certificates and to conduct thorough investigations whenever there is reason to doubt their validity.
Such investigations should also determine whether the employee was complicit in the fraud or whether they too, were misled.
"Abuse of sick leave, particularly through the use of fraudulent medical certificates, poses a significant risk to employers. If not effectively addressed, it can become a serious challenge, especially for small and medium-sized businesses."
Says Karstens: "At Easycare, we believe in actively participating in promoting a healthy economy for both employees and employers. A genuine sick note safeguards everyone involved. A fake one, on the other hand, risks reputations, livelihoods and even criminal charges."
The message is simple:
- For employees - if you're sick, see a legitimate professional.
- For employers - if a certificate looks odd, check it before you approve leave.
Because in the end, a sick note should be about health - not about a hustle.
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