The Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC) has issued a Circular advising that all departmental international and domestic travel should be re-evaluated and non-essential staff redeployed to assist with Public Service continuity during the COVID-19 response.
The Department’s Circular is in response to NSW Human Influenza Pandemic Plan: A Sub Plan of the NSW State Emergency Management Plan.
It says all international and domestic travel should be restricted to essential travel only with changes to planned travel managed in accordance with the process for that cluster and/or agency.
The Department has also issued advice on working flexibly; workplace exclusions; inability to work; Work Health and Safety; and special leave for staff unable to work.
“Where employees who are not directly involved in the pandemic response cannot be gainfully employed at their normal place of work, remotely from home or at another office of the agency, such employees, where feasible and appropriate, may be temporarily required to work in another role within the same agency or in another Government agency pursuant to relevant legislative provisions,” the Department says.
It says each agency, in accordance with its business continuity plan, should operate as close to normal as possible during the COVID-19 outbreak, taking account of any protection measures recommended by NSW Health.
The Department said up to 20 days paid special leave would be provided to employees unable to work due to caring for sick relatives; caring for family members due to closure of schools and caring facilities; and unable to attend work due to transport disruptions.
It says flexible work arrangements should be considered either at home or from another office location if the employee’s regular workplace is closed.
“Where work is unable to be provided to these employees, they are to be paid as normal and are placed on paid special leave,” it says.
The DPC Circular C2020-01 Employment Arrangements during COVID-19 can be accessed at this PS News link.
