The following leave arrangements are to apply over the Christmas and New Year Period 2006/07:

1. Agencies are to maximise leave taken over the Christmas/New Year period

As set out in Premier's Memorandum M2006-13 issued on 6 September 2006 areas not involved in the delivery of front line services agencies are asked to maximise the taking of leave by public sector employees in the last week in December and first week in January wherever possible and in accordance with current industrial instruments.

These arrangements may involve all, or section(s) of an agency or a partial close down of a section (ie skeleton staff). The decision as to which areas are appropriate to be closed down (either total or partial) is to be made on a case by case basis by the Minister or Chief Executive.

Agencies are asked to make arrangements as soon as practicable and at least one month before Christmas or longer if required under the applicable industrial instrument.

2. Public Holidays

The Christmas and New Year public holidays for New South Wales are on the following days:

Monday 25 December 2006 - Christmas Day
Tuesday 26 December 2006 - Boxing Day
Monday 1 January 2007 - New Year's Day

3. The 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.

In accordance with clause 19(a)(3) of the Crown Employees (Public Service Conditions of Employment) Reviewed Award 2006 Department Heads will determine which day is to be observed as the public service holiday in their agency.

4. Concessional Leave

The conditions for granting and taking of the Christmas concession are set out in Part 6-6 of the Personnel Handbook.

For the 2006/7 Christmas and New Year season, the half day concessional leave may be granted to employees on the afternoon of Friday 22 December 2006 or Friday 29 December 2006 subject to operational requirements. The leave is subject to attendance at work on the morning that the leave is granted.

Any enquiries regarding the above may be directed to your Employment Relations Adviser, Public Employment Office. 
 

C Gellatly
Director-General

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M2006-13 had been superseded by M2007-05