Assurance news of a rise in Kiwis calling in sick indicates a positive cultural shift. 

A Business NZ and Southern Cross report shows workers are taking an average of 6.7 sick days a year, up from 5.5 in 2022. 

Employers and Manufacturers Association Head of Advocacy Alan McDonald told Ryan Bridge while it is a cost, most employers recognise it stops infections spreading. 

McDonald says the stats better reflect the understanding in a workplace, that people do genuinely get sick, and it's better to manage this than have them in. 

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