This circular follows an approach from the Minister for Police who has proposed that officers in the public sector arrange the staggering of leaving times on Easter Thursday, 1 April 1999, in the interests of road safety.

The Easter Long Weekend places significant demands on the road system as large numbers of people travel out of Sydney and other major population centres.

The Minister has proposed that to improve safety on the State's roads on Easter Thursday public sector and private sector employers be encouraged to arrange for the staggering of leaving times for staff on that day.

At the discretion of the Chief Executive of an agency, employees may be granted a half days flex leave on Easter Thursday as additional leave under the existing provisions of the Crown Employees (Public Service Conditions of Employment 1997) Award. Under these arrangements employees having a half day flex leave work a minimum of three and half hours in the morning. Some agencies have negotiated even more flexible arrangements. In addition, employees already have the option of taking a full day's recreation or flex leave on Easter Thursday.

Chief Executives are asked to take these matters into account when considering the granting of leave for employees on Easter Thursday.

Please bring this matter to the attention of your department or any sub-department or authority coming within, or associated with, your administration.

C. Gellatly
Director-General