The Together union has set out details for the Department of Health’s compulsory closure over Christmas and the staff’s entitlement to two days of extra leave in recognition of their work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a statement, the union said many staff were preparing to apply for their two days’ leave, particularly over the Christmas-New Year compulsory closure period.
“Payroll staff are hard at work configuring the system to ensure this leave can be processed. Unfortunately, applications for this leave will not be processed through the payroll system until 1 November,” the union said.
However, when processed it would be granted to all Queensland Health staff except for Health Executive Service (HES) and Ambulance Executive Service (AES) level staff.
“It will be granted to permanent and temporary (who have more than three months continuous service as at the eligibility date) full-time and part-time employees (pro-rated),” Together said.
“It is to be taken at a mutually convenient time and wherever possible where backfill is not required, for example low demand periods; is to be paid at ordinary hours and is subject to expiration after two years if not taken, or upon separation from Queensland Health whichever is sooner; and is not cashable.”
It said employees must be employed on the eligibility date of 10 September to be entitled to the two days additional leave.
Together noted that this year’s compulsory closure period for the Department of Health would be from 25 December to 1 January inclusive.
