Workplace Wellbeing: Too ill to work? New law protects your income

Since January 1, workers are entitled to get paid leave for up to three sick days per year, rising to 10 days by 2026. It’s a welcome change but does the new legislation go far enough?

'The Sick Leave Act will be a positive legacy of the pandemic'

Úna Uí Shúilleabháin is a primary school teacher in West Kerry. The 34-year-old mother of two developed meningitis in September last year and had to take three weeks off work.

“Whenever I’m sick, I ring my principal as soon as I realise I’ll have to take time off,” she says. “I feel bad, especially if I wake up in the morning and am unable to give them much notice when it comes to finding a substitute teacher. But they are always understanding, and I know that I’ll be paid in full, so there’s no need for me to worry about the financial consequences of being ill.”