Premiers Christmas Closedown

The PSA understands that icare is very keen for staff to take leave over the Christmas – New Year period in line with the Premiers Memorandum M2019-03 Christmas Closedown NSW Premier’s Memorandum

The Premiers Christmas closedown for 2021-22 is from 27 December 2021 through to 7 January 2022.

The PSA does not object to the Christmas Closedown and we would certainly encourage those staff that can, to enjoy the opportunity it allows to have a decent break from work.

That said, the PSA is also aware that some staff for a number of reasons may need to work throughout this time and that should also be allowable by icare.

The PSA is aware of a broadcast sent to staff on the 7 September which states that:

                “If you haven’t accrued enough leave by 27 December to cover the closedown period, you can choose to purchase leave, take leave without pay or take leave in advance (which means you will have a negative leave balance).”

While the above are all options for those that have not accrued enough leave, icare has rather conveniently omitted that you can choose to work and icare must make work available for you, dependant on your accumulated leave balance at the time of the shutdown.

There is really only one instance in which icare can make a direction to staff at short notice (within 2 weeks of notification) to take leave and that is when you are in excess of 40 days accrued recreation leave (or within 3 months in excess of 30) https://www.treasury.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/pdf/TC16-03_Managing_Accrued_Recreation_Leave_Balances.pdf

For those staff who may have just started working for icare or do not have enough recreation leave to cover the closedown period and do not want to go into debit or take leave without pay, you are able to request to work through this period and icare must make a reasonable adjustment to allow you to do this.

Please note, you may be required to work from a different location or from your home.

If you do need to make arrangements to work over the closedown period, you are strongly advised to begin discussions with your people leader now. If PSA members have any difficulty in discussing this with their People Leader they can contact the PSA for support.

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