Premier & Cabinet

Type:
Department of Premier and Cabinet Circular
Identifier:
C2011-02
Status:
Archived

C2011-02 Leave for Staff Affected by Flooding in NSW and the Queensland Emergency Response

Description

Keypoints

  • Areas of northern NSW have been declared a natural disaster due to flooding. Agencies should note this declaration may be expanded to other areas in NSW.
  • Queensland is currently experiencing the worst floods in 100 years, with significant loss of lives and devastation of infrastructure.
  • Managers should apply a flexible approach for employees who are unable to attend work as a result of flooding around the declared natural disaster areas.
  • Employees directly affected by the floods who are unable to attend work may be granted leave for the period of the emergency.
  • Employees who volunteer to assist emergency services may also be granted Special Leave.

Detailed Outline

1. Employees directly affected by the floods

Employees prevented from attending work, or those who need to care for children whose care arrangements are disrupted because of the floods, may be granted Family and Community Service Leave (FACS) to cover the period of the emergency. Clauses 17 and 71 of the Crown Employees (Public Service Conditions of Employment) Award 2009 (the Conditions Award) sets out these entitlements.

Where there is insufficient FACS leave to cover the absence, Special Leave of up to five days may be granted at the agency’s discretion where additional absence is absolutely necessary. You may also consider extending the settlement period of flexible working hours arrangements (see clause 21.9.2 of the Conditions Award).

Employees working away from their usual work location who could not return home due to any road closures may be granted Special Leave or time in lieu at your discretion. Reasonable out-of-pocket expenses may also be reimbursed where appropriate.

2. Employees who volunteer to assist emergency services

Employees who volunteer to assist emergency services either in NSW or in Queensland may be granted Special Leave for the time that they are absent from duty. There is no limit on the amount of Special Leave that may be granted (refer to section 6.18.8.2 of the Personnel Handbook). Special Leave for reasonable rest purposes may also be granted.

On returning to duty, employees should provide proof of attendance from an appropriate representative of the emergency service assisted.

Brendan O’Reilly
Director General

Which agencies does this Circular apply to?
The provisions of this Circular apply to staff members (as defined in the Public Sector Employment and Management Act 2002 (PSEMA)), ministerial staff (that is, special temporary employees), as well as members of the Senior and Chief Executive Services, in organisations set out in Schedule 1 Part 1 of the PSEMA. Chief Executives of other public sector agencies are urged to extend similar flexibility to all affected employees in their organisations.

Who needs to know about this Circular?
Personnel, Human Resources, Industrial Relations.

Further information
Client Services, Public Sector Work 9228 4444 [email protected].

Issued by: Industrial Relations Unit, Public Sector Workforce, Department of Premier and Cabinet

Contact: Danny Blackman – 9228 5965 [email protected]

Overview

Compliance

Not Mandatory

AR Details

Date Issued
Jan 12, 2011
Review Date
Dec 31, 2014
Replaces
Replaced By

Contacts

Contact
Contact us
Phone
02 9228 5555
Publishing Entity
Department of Premier and Cabinet
Issuing Entity
Department of Premier and Cabinet