Saudi Arabian authorities are set to punish doctors who provide fake sick leave certificates with up to one year in prison and up to SR100,000 or both, said a report.

The employees who produce such fake sick leave certificates will be punished with a penalty of SR30,000 ($7,998) and three months in prison, said the Arab News report.

Under the new rules, scrutiny of sick certificate be a prescribed statutory procedure, than an administrative one. The Bureau of Investigations and Prosecution will file cases against such employees, with the medical practitioner being held more accountable than leave-seeking employees, it said.

“The new rule promotes ethical practice, prevents abuse or violation of sick leave norms and reduces productivity loss at workplace,” Mohammed A Shatta, personnel manager at a leading company in Jeddah was quoted as saying.