Australian Public Servants are no longer entitled to additional leave for COVID-19 following the release of a Circular from the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) updating its leave arrangements policy for Public Servants exposed to the virus.
In Circular 2022/11: COVID-19 leave arrangements, the APSC said COVID-19 was a significant public health issue and Government employers should take the lead in effective action to minimise transmission in the community and workplaces.
“This remains important as we move beyond the emergency phase of the pandemic to treating COVID-19 as an endemic health risk,” the APSC said.
The Commission said it was important for Agencies to respond appropriately to the end of mandatory isolation requirements for COVID-19 (from 14 October), while also ensuring the safety of all employees and members of the public engaging with Commonwealth employees.
It said, wherever possible, Agencies should ensure the availability of flexible working arrangements for employees exposed to COVID-19 and other contagious diseases.
Where an employee believes they have been exposed to COVID-19, the APSC said personal leave or other flexible working arrangements would apply for the time required to get tested or seek medical advice.
“Employees who have tested positive for COVID-19 in accordance with local health directions, are symptomatic, and unable to perform work should be given access to paid personal leave for personal illness in accordance with the Agency’s workplace arrangements,” the Commission said.
“Agencies are no longer required to provide additional discretionary leave for employees who are unwell with COVID-19,” it said.
“Where appropriate, Agencies are able to provide employees with additional paid or unpaid discretionary leave.”
The APSC said work from home arrangements should be supported where appropriate for employee who had tested positive for COVID-19 but remained well.
Noting that employees may choose to isolate, it said they should continue working from home where practical or could use their use existing leave credits.
“Where an employee is required to provide care or support for a family or household member who is unwell with COVID-19 or is unable to attend care due to a COVID-19 diagnosis, paid carer’s leave should be provided,” it said.
“Agencies are no longer required to provide paid discretionary leave in these circumstances, however each circumstance should be assessed on a case-by-case basis.”
The APSC said Agencies should engage with employees who had particular health concerns which may make them more vulnerable to COVID-19.
“On a case by case basis, considerations such as working from home or transfer to a non-public facing job should be considered,” it said.
Circular 2022/11 replaces Circular 2020/1: COVID-19 leave arrangements and can be accessed at this PS News link.
