The following leave provisions are to apply over the Christmas and New Year period 2003/2004.

Public Holidays
The Christmas and New Year public holidays for New South Wales will be observed on the following dates:

Thursday 25 December 2003 Christmas Day
Friday 26 December 2003 Boxing Day
Thursday 1 January 2004 New Year's Day

Public Service Holiday
Subject to provisions in enterprise arrangements, public service employees who are not entitled to a union picnic day or some other special day, such as the Tuesday after Easter, are entitled to a public service holiday during the period between Boxing Day and New Year's Day.

The conditions for the taking and granting of the Public Service Holiday are set out in the Crown Employees (Public Service Conditions of Employment) Award 2002 (refer clause 18(3)) and the Personnel Handbook. Copies of the Award and the Handbook are available on the Premier's Department Website

It should be noted that under the Award, Department Heads are required to determine which day is to be observed as the Public Service Holiday in their agency.

Concessional Leave
The conditions for the taking and granting of the Christmas concession are set out in the Personnel Handbook at Clause 6-6.2.

Any enquires may be directed to your client contact officer in the Public Employment Office.

C Gellatly
Director-General

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Superseded by C2004-30