Victoria’s Public Servants are to get up to half a day’s paid time off to receive their COVID-19 vaccine booster shot.
Announced by the Minister for Industrial Relations, Tim Pallas, the arrangement was also in place for VPS employees receiving their first two doses of vaccine and will be in addition to accrued sick leave.
“The arrangements apply to full-time and part-time staff and long-term regular casuals at Departments and Administrative Offices, Statutory Authorities, Government schools, TAFE institutes, police and emergency services, water and land management Authorities and other public entities,” Mr Pallas said.
“All public sector workers are strongly encouraged to get their third dose vaccination as soon as they are eligible – with clear data showing a third dose decreases the chances of being hospitalised by up to 90 per cent,” he said.
“It’s never been easier to get your third dose and it’s one of the most important things you can do to drive our COVID-19 numbers down and protect your loved ones.”
Mr Pallas said the program was subject to the usual operational requirements for taking time off and did not displace any more generous arrangements already in place.
The Minister said the strong recommendation to work from home and study from home for adult education would remain in place and “this will continue to be assessed”.
“I strongly encourage all Victorian employers to put in place similar arrangements, including the private sector, so their workers are supported to access their third dose vaccination as soon as they are eligible,” he said.
