Leave arrangements during stage 4 restrictions

A message from the Chief Operating Officer Dr Stephen Weller and the Recovery Management Team:

Following the move to new stage 4 restrictions for metropolitan Melbourne, and stage 3 restrictions for Ballarat, we have received some questions about leave arrangements for Victorian staff.

We understand this is a particularly challenging time for families, and while there is no change to the current permitted use of personal/carer’s leave, there are options that can help:

• Tuesday, 4 August 2020 is a Pupil Free Day in Victoria, and staff can apply for personal/carer’s leave.
• The announcement to move to remote learning this week and the closure of early childhood care is considered an emergency, and if required staff can access up to three days of personal/carer’s leave this week. 
• Where longer term care for children is needed due to closures of schools or early childhood care, staff should discuss options with their supervisor. These options include availability while working remotely, working flexible hours, and taking annual leave or long service leave and, when these are exhausted, leave without pay.

This is a challenging time and new territory for all of us, and we will continue to adapt our approach to follow government instructions and industry best practice while ensuring your welfare.

Please make sure you seek out any of the support services ACU has to offer if needed.

Finally, as information is changing rapidly, we will continue to communicate when more details come to hand. I encourage you to remain engaged with our communications and FAQs page which we are updating as things change.

Dr Stephen Weller and the Recovery Management Team