Those who are in work are taking more sick leave. 

New research by Southern Cross Health Insurance and Business NZ has found an average staff member took almost seven days of sick leave last year, up 1.4 from two years earlier. 

It's costing the country about $4 billion a year. 

Business NZ Chief Executive Katherine Rich told Mike Hosking the rise in leave entitlements has had an impact, but many employees are also doing what they’ve been told, staying home when sick so they don’t pass it onto their coworkers. 

She says post Covid, people think more about their wellness and are less likely to solider on like the Codral ad.  

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