Sick leave is paid time off work if an employee, their spouse, partner, dependent child, or other person who depends on them is sick or injured.
Minimum sick leave entitlements increased from 5 to 10 days per year from 24 July 2021. Employees get the extra five days per year when they reach their next entitlement date. The entitlement date will be either after reaching 6 months’ employment or on their sick leave entitlement anniversary (12 months after they were last entitled to sick leave).
Sick leave increasing to 10 days
Payment for sick leave is calculated using relevant daily pay or average daily pay.
If you have a workplace issue, you may want to use the Early Resolution Service to resolve it early, quickly and informally.
Sick leave entitlements
Most employees are entitled to 10 days’ sick leave a year. It depends on how long they have worked for the same employer, and their entitlement date.
Medical examination
In some situations, employees may be required to have a medical examination or be suspended from the workplace.
Sick leave and ACC payments
What an employee is entitled to if they have an accident or injury that is covered by ACC.
Tools and Resources
Employee Learning Module
Sick leave, bereavement leave, alternative holidays, and public holidays – employee rights and responsibilities.