The emergency created by the South and South East Asia tsunami requires special consideration and Chief Executive Officers are encouraged to apply flexibly the following leave provisions as and when required in respect of directly affected staff.

The following arrangements apply to officers, temporary staff and Senior and Chief Executive Services staff employed under the Public Sector Employment and Management Act 2002 and ministerial employees in Schedule 1 organisations under the Act.

The Chief Executive Officers of other public sector organisations are encouraged to extend similar concessions to all affected employees in their organisation.

Family emergencies

Staff who have family emergencies due to the tsunami may be granted Family and Community Service Leave to cover the period of the emergency (clause 75, Family and Community Services Leave, Crown Employees (Public Service Conditions of Employment) Award 2002).

Where an entitlement to Family and Community Service Leave is not sufficient to cover the period of absence, additional special leave may be granted at the discretion of the Department Head.

Due to the exceptional circumstances of the tsunami emergency, Department Heads may also extend the affected flexible working hours settlement period by a further 4 weeks (Clause 20 (i) Flexible Working Hours, Crown Employees (Public Service Conditions of Employment) Award 2002).

Staff directly involved in the Tsunami relief effort

As outlined in Premier's Department Circular 2005-02 where the Commonwealth does not have the capacity within its own resources it may task State/Territory agencies. Staff who assist in the tsunami relief effort as part of any official NSW Government response will be considered to be on duty.

Staff who due to their expertise are requested by an official non-government aid organisation to volunteer in the tsunami relief effort may be granted Special Leave for all or part of their assignment at the discretion of the Department Head. On resumption of duty, such staff should provide proof of attendance certified by an authorised representative of the aid organisation to which the staff member was attached.

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.

A Smith
Acting Director-General

Issued : Employee Relations and Workforce Planning Services
(Public Employment Office)
Contact: Juliet Adriaanse, A/Manager, Employment Relations Policy and Advice
EMail: [email protected]
Telephone no: 9228 3593 Facsimile: 9228 3577
File no:
Date: 13 January 2005
This circular does not superseded any other Memorandum/Circular