Latest news with #peakseason
SBS Australia
3 days ago
- Health
- SBS Australia
Should you take a day off or work from home with a mild cold? What if you can't do either?
Whether it's your first or fourth cold of the season, many Australians are waking up at the moment with a sniffle, a sore throat or feeling more tired than usual. June to August is peak flu season in Australia. There are also high rates of COVID-19 circulating, along with other respiratory viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus and adenovirus. Sometimes it's clear when you need to spend the day in bed: you have a fever, aches and pains, and can't think clearly. If it's the flu or COVID-19, you'll want to stay away from others and rest and recover. But what about if your symptoms are mild? Are you sick enough to take the day off, or should you push through it? And what if you feel pressured to work? Here's what to consider. Are you likely to spread it? While it may seem like a good idea to continue working, especially when your symptoms are mild, going to work when infectious with a respiratory virus risks infecting your co-workers. If you are in a client-facing role, such as a teacher or a salesperson, you may also infect others, like students or customers. The risks may be even greater for those working with vulnerable communities, such as in aged care work, where the consequences can be severe. From an organisational perspective, you are likely less productive when you are not feeling well. So, whenever possible, avoid going into work when you're feeling unwell. Should I work from home? The COVID-19 pandemic normalised working from home. Since then, more people work from home when they're unwell, rather than taking sick leave. Some employees join Zoom or Teams meetings out of guilt, not wanting to let their co-workers down. Others — and in particular, some men — feel the need to maintain their performance at work, even if it's at the expense of their health. A downside of powering through is that workers may prolong their illness by not looking after themselves. Can you take leave when you need it? Employees in Australia can take either paid or unpaid time off when they are unwell. Most full-time employees get 10 days of paid sick leave per year, while part-time employees get the equivalent pro rata. Employers can ask for reasonable evidence from employees to show they are unwell, such as asking for a medical certificate from a pharmacy or GP, or a statutory declaration. The type of evidence required may differ from organisation to organisation, with some awards and enterprise agreements specifying the type of evidence needed. While taking a sick day helps many workers recuperate, a significant proportion of workers engaged in non-standard work arrangements do not receive these benefits. There are, for example, 2.6 million casual employees who don't have access to paid sick leave. Many workers, such as casual employees and self-employed people, often don't have much choice about whether or not to take a sick day. Source: Getty / FG Trade Similarly, most self-employed people, such as tradies and gig workers, do not have any paid leave entitlements. Although these workers can still take unpaid leave, they are sacrificing income when they call in sick. Research from the Australian Council of Trade Unions has found more than half of insecure workers don't take time off when injured or sick. So a significant proportion of workers in Australia simply cannot afford to call in sick. Why pushing through isn't the answer 'Presenteeism' is the phenomenon of people reporting for work even when they are unwell or not fully functioning, affecting their health and productivity. While exact figures are hard to determine, since most organisations don't systematically track it, estimates suggest 30 to 90 per cent of employees work while sick at least once a year. People work while sick for different reasons. Some choose to because they love their job or enjoy the social side of work — this is called voluntary presenteeism. But many don't have a real choice, facing financial pressure or job insecurity. That's involuntary presenteeism, and it's a much bigger problem. Research has found industry norms may be shaping the prevalence of 'involuntary presenteeism', with workers in the health and education sectors more likely to feel obligated to work when sick due to 'at work' caring responsibilities. What can organisations do about it? Leaders set the tone, especially around health and wellbeing. When they role-model healthy behaviour and support time off, it gives others permission to do the same. Supportive leaders can help reduce presenteeism, while pressure from demanding leaders can make it worse. Your co-workers matter too. When teams step up and share the load, it creates a culture where people feel safe to take leave. A supportive environment makes wellbeing a shared responsibility. But for some workers, leave isn't an option. Fixing this requires policy change across industries and society more broadly, not just inside the workplace.
SBS Australia
14-07-2025
- Health
- SBS Australia
Meningococcal peak season begins, experts warn
Meningococcal peak season begins, experts warn Published 14 July 2025, 9:09 am Experts are warning young adults and parents of young children to be aware of early symptoms of meningococcal disease, as Australia enters its peak season. The bacterial infection can accelerate rapidly, in many cases causing death or leading to life-changing complications.
News24
18-06-2025
- News24
Off-peak cheat sheet: When and where to travel from SA for big savings and quiet getaways
Peak season often means high prices and chaotic travel. Choosing a date more carefully can mean a significantly cheaper and more pleasant trip. Izusek/Instagram Be among those who shape the future with knowledge. Uncover exclusive stories that captivate your mind and heart with our FREE 14-day subscription trial. Dive into a world of inspiration, learning, and empowerment. You can only trial once. Start your FREE trial now Show Comments ()
News.com.au
11-06-2025
- News.com.au
Best shoulder season cities to visit around the world
Where and when to hit the sweet spot of travel between peak and off-peak seasons.
Hospitality Net
28-05-2025
- Business
- Hospitality Net
Fill Rooms, Boost Revenue, Save Time: Free Course Empowers Independent Hoteliers for Summer 2025
Just in time for the busy travel season, Lighthouse has created a free online course specially designed for passionate independent hoteliers like you. The course, "How to prepare your independent hotel for peak season 2025," gives you practical tools to boost your bottom line, simplify your daily routine, and create those unforgettable guest experiences that big chains can't match. Available in multiple languages (English, French, German, Italian, Dutch, and Spanish), this course is your secret weapon for summer success. Whether you run a cozy guesthouse, a charming boutique hotel, or a unique B&B, you'll discover how to set rates that fill rooms without leaving money on the table, reach more of your ideal guests without breaking the bank, and streamline those time-consuming daily tasks. Summer can make or break the year for independent hotels. When you're wearing multiple hats and competing with big chains, having simple, effective strategies, paired with the right tools, can be the difference between a good season and a great one. This course gives you practical tips you can use right away to take control of your peak season with confidence. Nadine Böttcher, Head of Product Innovation at Lighthouse Three simple steps to summer success The course breaks down summer success into three easy-to-follow chapters: Chapter 1: Set Prices That Fill Rooms AND Maximize Profits - Stop guessing at your room rates! Learn how to set the right price at the right time based on what's actually happening in your market. See exactly how to track the money each room brings in and make smart adjustments that boost your bottom line, even if you've never looked at a spreadsheet before. Set Prices That Fill Rooms AND Maximize Profits - Stop guessing at your room rates! Learn how to set the right price at the right time based on what's actually happening in your market. See exactly how to track the money each room brings in and make smart adjustments that boost your bottom line, even if you've never looked at a spreadsheet before. Chapter 2: Get More Bookings Without Drowning in OTA Fees - Discover which booking channels actually work for properties like yours. Learn how to balance OTAs with your own website bookings, and how to choose specialty platforms that connect you with guests who'll love what makes your property special,all while keeping those commission costs under control. Get More Bookings Without Drowning in OTA Fees - Discover which booking channels actually work for properties like yours. Learn how to balance OTAs with your own website bookings, and how to choose specialty platforms that connect you with guests who'll love what makes your property special,all while keeping those commission costs under control. Chapter 3: Run Your Hotel Smoothly (Even When You're Short-Staffed) - Transform how you manage daily operations so you can step away from the front desk and focus on what matters. See how fellow independent hoteliers have automated routine tasks, freed up their team's time, and created seamless guest experiences without hiring more staff. Each chapter includes real-life success stories from independent hoteliers just like you, showing exactly how these strategies work in properties of all sizes:from tiny B&Bs to 50-room boutique hotels. By the end of the course, you'll have a clear action plan tailored to your property that you can put into place immediately, just in time for your busiest season. We created this course specifically for independent hoteliers who don't have time to wade through theory and jargon , adds Böttcher. Everything is practical, tested, and designed to help you turn overwhelming data into clear decisions that boost your bottom line while preserving that personal touch that makes your property special . Complete the course and the final quiz, and you'll receive an official certification to show off to your guests and team. Start your summer success journey today The entire course is available now at absolutely no cost. Learn at your own pace, whenever you have a spare moment, even if it's just 15 minutes between check-ins. Join fellow independent hoteliers already using these strategies at: dependent-hotels-2025. About Lighthouse Lighthouse is the leading commercial platform for the travel & hospitality industry. We transform complexity into confidence by providing actionable market insights, business intelligence, and pricing tools that maximize revenue growth. We continually innovate to deliver the best platform for hospitality professionals to price more effectively, measure performance more efficiently, and understand the market in new ways. Trusted by over 70,000 hotels in 185 countries, Lighthouse is the only solution that provides real-time hotel and short-term rental data in a single platform. We strive to deliver the best possible experience with unmatched customer service. We consider our clients as true partners—their success is our success. For more information about Lighthouse, please visit: Adam Swart Global Head of Brand
