Sonja Vorster

As an employer, it can happen from time to time that an employee becomes very ill. The person used up all his or her paid sick leave and is now left in a situation in which no income is available, although the person may still be employed.

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The company can legally decide that the person needs to be ‘paid off’ for incapacity, which is one of the legal ways to dismiss a person on good medical grounds. The company is perhaps prepared to grant the person further “unpaid leave” as the prospects do exist that the employee can make a full recovery but time and treatment would be required.

The company cannot be expected to wait indefinitely as someone is required to do the work the ill employee normally would be doing. As an Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) contributor, the employee can apply for illness benefits from the UIF.

The Department of Labour would assist the employee and send the employee to the District Medical Practitioner for assessment. You would be well advised to provide the department and the medical practitioner with as much information about your condition and the estimated time period of recovery. It is with very good reason that this application is treated with the strictest verification as the UIF fund must cater for many other unemployed people and the fund is financially strained.

Once the department receives all documentation and doctor’s approval, your application is sent for approval, which could take up to 35 days.