In the public health system, can an employee be counselled for sick leave absences where the employer believes the pattern of absence relates to the employee’s approved secondary employment?

Yes. Recurring patterns of absence which appear to relate to an employee’s secondary employment could be considered grounds for an employer to counsel an employee about their excessive sick leave / attendance. Please see clause 3.2.5 of the Leave Matters Policy Directive PD2023_045 for further information.