Western Australian Police officers are to receive two additional rest days a year on full pay under a new order from the Public Service Arbitrator.
The WA Industrial Relations Commission announced that the Public Service Arbitrator, Senior Commissioner Stephen Kenner issued the order that the Western Australia Police Force Industrial Agreement 2020 contain a new clause to provide the additional rest days.
The Commission said the Order followed an application from the WA Police Union in the course of an enterprise bargaining agreement between the Union and the WA Police Force.
“The matter in respect of which the parties had not reached agreement was the applicant’s claim for five days ‘Additional Leave’,” the Commission said.
“The applicant contended that justification existed for its claim for five days additional leave on several grounds,” it said.
The Commission said the Union cited that policing could be corrosive to officer wellbeing; reluctance by officers to take sick leave for mental health reasons; existing sick leave was inadequate for recuperation; and interstate police officers received more beneficial entitlements.
It said the WA Police Force contended the claim based on operational and financial difficulties and the lack of evidence that additional paid leave would improve officer’s mental health and wellbeing.
“The Arbitrator concluded, on consideration of the evidence above, that he was not persuaded that an additional week’s leave should be granted,” the Commission said.
“He noted that a major issue was the absence of a definite research link between more leave and better mental health and wellbeing,” it said.
“He concluded, however, that in recognition of the unique nature and corrosive impact of policing work, an order should be made that the Industrial Agreement contain a new clause providing for two Rest Days per annum, on full pay, for each police officer.”
The Commission said Senior Commissioner Kenner noted that the Rest Days were intended to be available to a police officer, at their election and at a time nominated by them, in order that they could take a short break from the rigours of police work.
The Commission’s 95-page decision can be accessed at this PS News link.
