Further to Memorandum 94 - 1 "Leave for staff affected by the bush fire emergency in December 1993/January 1994" issued 12 January 1994, other issues involving employees affected by the bush fires, not covered in the previous memorandum, have been brought to my attention. These issues concern counselling for public employees and payment of lost wages for casual employees who were unable to attend work due to the bush fires.

Regarding counselling services, these are generally available to public employees affected by the bush fires. Public agencies should encourage affected employees to utilise these services and be prepared to meet reasonable costs incurred. This may mean granting employees time off, when it is necessary to seek counselling during ordinary working hours or where services are not available outside ordinary working hours.

Regarding casual employees, agencies should give consideration to payment of lost wages on a case-by-case basis, where the employee was prevented from attending work by the bush fires. It should be noted that casual employees receive a casual loading which compensates them for the casual nature of their employment and in most cases the attendance of casuals at their place of employment is as and when required.

Yours sincerely

C Gellatly
Acting Director-General