A screenshot shared online has sparked outrage after an alleged Coles employee said they were asked to give a week’s notice for an absence caused by gastro.
The exchange has not been independently verified by Kangaroo Nation, and it should not be treated as a confirmed company-wide Coles policy. It does, however, raise an important question about what employees must do when illness arrives without warning.
What the rules say
The Fair Work Ombudsman says an employee must tell their employer they are taking sick or carer’s leave as soon as possible. That notice may be given after the leave has already started. The employee should also say how long they expect to be away.
An employer may ask for reasonable evidence, including for a single day of leave. A medical certificate or statutory declaration can be used to show that the employee was genuinely unable to work.
That is different from demanding advance knowledge of an unexpected illness. Gastro can also create a food-safety risk, making careful handling of symptoms especially important in a supermarket.
The wider issue is whether short staffing is being managed fairly without pressuring sick workers to attend. Anyone facing a workplace dispute should keep written records and seek advice from the Fair Work Ombudsman or their union.