The Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC) has released a Circular outlining arrangements for the management of the NSW Government sector during the COVID-19 response, including support for employee vaccinations.
In C2021-14 Employment Arrangements during COVID-19, the DPC says that where employees who were not directly involved in the pandemic response could not be gainfully employed at their normal place of work, remotely from home, or at another office of the Agency, they may be temporarily required to work in another role, pursuant to relevant legislative provisions.
“Each Agency, in accordance with its business continuity plan, is to operate as close to normal as possible during the COVID-19 outbreak, taking account of any protection measures recommended by NSW Health,” the Circular says.
“Unless employees are on approved leave (e.g. sick, annual, family and community services or special) during the COVID-19 outbreak they are to undertake their normal duties either at their usual workplace, utilising flexible working arrangements at home, or at an alternate location,” it says.
“Where employees are working from home whilst also providing care to a family member, it is expected employees can balance caring responsibilities with their ability to undertake productive work, or other leave provisions can apply.”
The Circular says that where an employee wasn’t sick, but was directed not to attend the workplace due to isolation requirements, Agencies should identify options for employees to work from home during the quarantine period.
It says where work was not able to be provided to the employees, they were to be paid as normal and placed on paid special leave for up to 20 days.
It says the paid special leave would be provided, before other leave entitlements needed to be accessed, to employees who were unable to work because they were caring for sick family members; caring for family members due to closure of schools and caring facilities; or unable to attend work due to transport disruptions.
The circular says to support employees to receive a COVID-19 vaccination, Agencies may provide flexible work arrangements; access to special leave of up to two hours; or an equivalent payment at base rate of pay.
“If an employee receives the vaccine and experiences an adverse reaction, they may access paid sick leave entitlements,” it says.
“Where sick leave is exhausted, Agency heads may grant special sick leave on a case-by-case basis.”
DPC said C2021-14 replaces C2020-01 Employment Arrangements during COVID-19. It can be accessed online at this PS News link.
