As you would be aware, the emergency created by bush fires across NSW in December 1993/January 1994 requires special consideration and a more flexible approach to possible problems encountered by those employees who volunteered to assist the emergency services or who were otherwise affected by the bush fires.

The following arrangements apply to officers, employees and ministerial employees as well as holders of positions in the Senior and Chief Executive Services in organisations covered by Schedules 1 and 2 of the Public Sector Management Act 1988.

In view of the extent of the recent emergency, Chief Executive Officers of all Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 organisations are encouraged to flexibly apply the following provisions as and when required in respect of staff directly affected by the bush fires.

The Chief Executive Officers of Schedule 3 organisations and of all NSW Government enterprises are urged to extend similar concessions to all affected staff and employees in their organisation or enterprise.

Staff who volunteer to assist emergency services

Staff who assisted the emergency services during the period in question are to be granted special leave on full pay for the time they were absent from duty. There is no limit on the special leave that may be granted in such circumstances. However, on resumption of duty, such staff should provide proof of attendance certified by an authorised representative of the emergency service to which the staff member was attached. Wherever possible, times of attendance should be shown.

No overtime payments apply in respect of any time spent assisting the emergency services, but special leave for rest purposes may be granted prior to resumption of duty. The duration of the rest period is to be determined locally and would be expected to be reasonable but not excessive.

Staff affected by the bush fires

Staff who were prevented by the bush fires from reporting for duty or who remained at home to protect their family and/or property from the bush fires, may be granted short leave to cover the period of the emergency. Where accrued short leave is not sufficient to cover the period of absence, additional short leave may be granted at your discretion.

Any additional short leave granted on this occasion is to be treated as a special grant that is not included in future short leave calculations.

The grant of accrued short leave and any additional short leave is contingent on your being satisfied that the threat to life and/or property was real. If in doubt, staff should be asked to provide confirmation from the local fire authority or the Police.

Staff who were unable to return home, etc

Staff who were performing duty away from their headquarters or usual work location and could not return home due to road closures during the bush fire emergency may be granted special leave and/or time off in lieu, at your discretion.

Special leave would apply at times when the staff are normally on duty and time off in lieu would apply in respect of a weekend or public holiday, ie a non working day.

Where appropriate, reasonable out-of-pocket expenses may also be granted.

Staff who are members of volunteer emergency organisations

Staff who are members of volunteer emergency organisations, such as the Bush Fire Brigade and who were required to assist during this emergency, are to be treated in accordance with the provisions contained in Division 2, Part 2, Section 10, Paragraphs 10.2.6 to 10.2.10 of the Personnel Handbook.

Yours sincerely

R G Humphry
Director- General