The two categories of paid sick leave

The two categories of paid sick leave

Paid sickness days are divided into two categories: Category 1 (which may be accumulated up to 36 days) and Category 2 (to be accumulated thereafter up to 84 days). The total of the two categories is 120 days.

Category 1 must be supported by a medical certificate issued by a registered medical practitioner, a registered Chinese medicine practitioner or a registered dentist. For a pregnant employee claiming her pay on the day of attending medical examination in relation to her pregnancy, a certificate of attendance issued by a registered medical practitioner, a registered Chinese medicine practitioner, a registered midwife or a registered nurse may be produced.

Category 2 can be taken only if the sickness days taken exceeds the number of paid sickness days remaining in Category 1. If required by the employer, a medical certificate issued by a registered medical practitioner, registered Chinese medicine practitioner or registered dentist attending the employee as an out-patient or in-patient in a hospital should be produced. The medical certificate should specify the number of days on which, and the nature of the sickness or injury on account of which, the employee is unfit for work. Upon the employer’s request, a brief record of the investigation carried out and the treatment prescribed by the issuer of the medical certificate should also be produced. For a pregnant employee claiming her pay on the day of attending medical examination in relation to her pregnancy, a certificate of attendance issued by a registered medical practitioner, a registered Chinese medicine practitioner, a registered midwife or a registered nurse who conducts the examination for the employee as an out-patient or inpatient in a hospital may be produced.