Christmas Closedown Arrangements - Nov 2019

The PSA is advised that some members have expressed some confusion in regard to the Christmas Closedown Arrangements communicated by Parliament.  With that in mind, we provide the PSA’s advice in an effort to clarify:

• Where an employee has excessive accrued recreation leave they can be directed to take some of that leave;
• Employees cannot be directed to take Leave Without Pay (LWOP);
• Reasonable requests to work over the period should be properly considered by management. Management have advised the PSA that there are many categories of departmental staff resulting in no standard alternate work locations that can be communicated.  Each instance of working over the closedown will be discussed and arranged on a case by case basis with the person’s manager and Human Services in order for suitable work and locations to be found.  They advised that the Parliamentary Precinct is closed over the period.
• Managers have also advised the PSA that they recognise that in regard to Electorate Offices, Members have discretion to decide if they wish to keep their office open on the non-public holidays during the period, or whether there will be any other alternate agreed work arrangements for staff (e.g. working from home etc). Human Services do require this information for leave audit processes.

Members should contact their delegate or the PSA if any problems arise in regard to the above.