Sir Michael's comments follow claims made last year in an online forum that some disruptive pupils were paid to truant during inspections while weak teachers were encouraged to take sick leave.

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HIV-infected workers who get no treatment typically take 55 days of sick leave in their final two years at work, says Sanlam in a newly finished survey of South African firms.

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He said that meant people no longer necessarily worked a strict five-day, Monday to Friday week, and they no longer saved all their socialising for the weekend - affecting the days people might take off as "sick leave".

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Workers who fall sick during their annual leave are entitled to take corresponding paid leave at a later date, the EU's top court has ruled.

BBC: EU court: Workers sick on leave can get extra time off

We should help these new families care for their children by expanding maternity and paternity leave, and we should guarantee every worker more paid sick leave so they can stay home to take care of their child without losing their income.

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The U.S. Family Medical Leave Act allows employees of companies with more than 50 employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to care for sick relatives.

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In cases where workers fall sick towards the end of the year, and are unable to take all of their annual leave, they can under EU law carry over their unused leave into the next accounting period.

BBC: EU court: Workers sick on leave can get extra time off