Are you really sick? Ontario School Boards hire private investigators to deal with rising rates of absenteeism

BY PAUL JUNOR

The announcement that school boards have resorted to hiring private investigators to deal with rising rates of teachers’ absenteeism came as a surprise. It was revealed that a memo was sent out to the over 4,000 teachers of the Toronto Elementary Catholic Teachers union alerting them of what the TCDSB is doing. The memo states, “It is essential to use sick days only as intended under the collective agreement. The board has hired private investigators to observe members, attempting to identify what they deem as misuse of sick days. This has led to disciplinary actions, up to and including termination. Protect yourself by adhering to the (collective agreement) guidelines.”

The TCDSB hired two investigators who were part of an investigation that resulted in five teachers from one school being fired. The teachers took time off for sick days but went to the Niagara casino instead. In addition, the teachers and the vice-principal were also fired as he had prior knowledge of the trip. There is an investigation unit that is a part of the board as well as outside investigators that are often used. They investigate sick leave abuse as well as claims of misconduct.

In June 2023, the Ministry of Education informed school boards across Ontario that they should implement attendance support programs in light of chronic shortage of teachers. The memo notes that “Absenteeism not only creates operational priorities, but it also adds financial pressure on school boards.”

In an article titled, “The Party’s Over: Toronto School Boards Cut Down On Sick Leave Abuse,” Deborah Karam, President of Toronto Elementary Catholic Teacher states, “If the (board) truly cared about the quality of student education and the welfare of school staff, it would focus on understanding and addressing why teachers are reporting higher levels of stress burnout than ever.”

“There have been several teachers who have received letters from the board requesting that they justify sick days that they have taken,” according to Antonella Di Carlo, President of the Toronto Catholic Teachers’ Secondary Unit. She states, “You’re terrorizing a profession right…now. For the minority.”

The TCDSB is facing a $66 million deficit and with sick leave costs representing about $44 million of it the board is trying to be fiscally responsible. Chair Markus de Domenico notes, “We just have to ensure that the system is being used for what it’s designed-to assist people that are ill or have reason to be off. There are, as there are in any large organizations, occasionally people that choose to abuse that, but they don’t represent the very vast majority of our staff.”