Boards hiring private investigators to help 'identify misuse of sick days'
School boards in Toronto are taking strict measures to address rising absenteeism costs, including hiring private investigators to uncover abuse of sick leave. These efforts have led to disciplinary actions and terminations, raising concerns among education unions, according to the Toronto Star.
A memo from the Toronto Elementary Catholic Teachers union warned its members to only use sick days as intended, stating, “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 Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) currently employs two investigators. According to sources, five teachers from a single school were dismissed earlier this year after being observed spending a sick day at a Niagara casino. The school’s vice-principal, reportedly aware of the outing, was also terminated. The sources were not authorized to speak publicly, says the Star.
The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) also employs an investigations team and has occasionally contracted private investigators. A board spokesperson confirmed that employees have been fired for sick leave abuse in the past.
Several cases of sick leave misuse have emerged in recent years. In one instance, a TDSB teacher was fired after being found campaigning in Montreal while on medical leave. Investigators confirmed she was working at a Montreal school while collecting sick pay from the TDSB. The woman subsequently lost her teaching certificate.
Unions have criticized these practices. Deborah Karam, president of Toronto Elementary Catholic Teachers, described the use of private investigators as “heavy-handed and disturbing,” according to the Toronto Star.
“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 and burnout than ever.”
Antonella Di Carlo, president of the Toronto Catholic teachers’ secondary unit, said some teachers have received letters asking them to justify sick days that were legitimately used.
“You’re terrorizing a profession right now ... for the minority?” she asked.
Education unions have expressed concerns over privacy and intimidation tactics, says the Star. Karam claimed some members have been followed by investigators, with their social media monitored.
However, a board insider stated the approach “sends a message” to deter misuse, adding, “The party’s over.”
The TCDSB faces a $66-million budget deficit, with unfunded sick-leave costs contributing $44 million. Chair Markus de Domenico emphasized fiscal responsibility, telling the Toronto Star: “We just have to ensure that the system is being used for what it’s designed — to assist people that are ill or have a 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.”
In 2022-23, TDSB sick leave costs, including substitute staffing, reached $213 million, according to the Star. The average number of sick days taken by elementary and high school teachers at the TDSB was 20.04 and 17.31, respectively, compared to the provincial average of 15.5 days for permanent employees.
A recent auditor general’s report highlighted gaps in attendance management at the TDSB, citing insufficient disability caseworkers and a lack of proactive investigations. The report estimated that aligning sick-day usage with the provincial average could save the TDSB $24 million annually, says the Star.
The Catholic board’s measures include requiring a medical form after five consecutive sick days and follow-up protocols.
In 2012, Ontario reduced paid sick days to 11 annually and ended the practice of banking unused days for retirement payouts. Employees now also have access to 120 short-term leave days at 90% pay.
To manage shortages, schools often reassign staff, combine classes, or hire uncertified replacements when teachers are absent. Absenteeism has compounded the province’s teacher shortage, further straining school operations.
