How much sick leave am I entitled to?
I’m on ACC leave. What do I get as compensation?
What happens to my sick leave at the end of the year?
I’m a part-time worker. Can I get sick leave?
How much sick leave am I entitled to?
To be able to take sick leave you must have worked continuously for your employer for six months. Alternatively, you have worked for your employer, over a period of six months, not continuously, but for:
- at least an average of 10 hours per week during that period; and
- at least one hour per week or at least 40 hours per month during that period.
If you meet these requirements, you will have at least five days of paid sick leave available each year. You can also take sick leave if your partner, child or someone else who depends on you for care, is sick or injured. Your employment agreement may also give you extra sick leave above the minimum entitlement of five days each year. If you don’t use some of your sick leave during a year, you can keep it for next year. You will be able to store up at least 15 days of unused sick leave from previous years, or more if your employment agreement allows it.
Find out more from the Employment Relations Service.
I’m on ACC leave. What do I get as compensation?
See our information on ACC or visit the ACC website for more details.
What happens to my sick leave at the end of the year?
An employee can carry over unused sick leave from one year to the next. As a minimum, an employee can take up to five paid sick days each year. As an example, if you use one day’s sick leave in a 12-month period, then you can carry over the other four days. That means the year after you will be able to take nine days’ paid sick leave if you need to. You can legally accumulate up to 20 days sick leave, though your particular employment agreement may let you accumulate more. You normally won’t be able to cash in your sick leave even if you leave your job.
I’m a part-time worker. Can I get sick leave?
Even if you work part-time, you are still entitled to five days sick leave a year after being in the job for six months. Sick leave can also accumulate to up to 20 days for part-time employees.