Yesterday (24/3), the combined unions participated in a phone hook-up regarding Ausgrid’s latest responses to the COVID-19 outbreak. Please see the below information as to how Ausgrid intend to accommodate special leave. The USU doesn’t hold any fundamental objections to these plans, however, we do seek your feedback so that we may confirm our position with the business.
You are exhibiting symptoms or you have tested positive to COVID-19
You can access personal leave
- If you have a zero personal leave balance or you get to a zero balance Ausgrid will give you paid extra special leave
- The paid extra special leave will be up to a total of 14 calendar days (i.e. 10 working days)
- You will need a medical certificate to access this paid extra special leave
- If at the end of the paid extra special leave your GP is advising that you need more time off work you can use your other leave types
You need to care for a family member who is exhibiting symptoms/confirmed case of COVID-19
You can access carers leave
- If you have a zero personal leave balance or you get to a zero balance Ausgrid will give you paid extra special leave
- The paid extra special leave will be up to 14 calendar days (i.e. 10 working days)
- You will need a medical certificate for the family member to enable you to access this paid extra special leave
- If at the end of the paid extra special leave the family member is still unwell and your GP is advising that further care is required, you can use your other leave types
Please note that sick leave and carers leave is deducted from personal leave
You were overseas on leave before 16 March and now returning
You can work from home or access paid special leave
In line with Government directives, you will be required to self-isolate for 14 days. This means being absent from work for 14 calendar days (i.e. 10 working days).
Options available:
- If your Manager deems your role to be suitable, you can work from home and no leave is required
- If your Manager deems your role not suitable to work from home, you can access paid extra special leave for 10 working days.
You have decided to travel overseas on leave after 16 March
You will need to use annual leave for the self-isolation period
As per Government directive you will be required to self-isolate for 14 calendar days after returning from overseas travel
- During the 14-day self-isolation period you will need to access annual leave or long service leave
- If you don’t have a sufficient balance to cover the 14-day self-isolation period, your Manager can approve additional annual leave resulting in a negative leave balance.
You live with, or have been in close contact with:
– someone who has recently been overseas and is in self-isolation OR
– a person who is unwell and displaying symptoms of COVID-19 but is not confirmed OR
– a person who is confirmed to have COVID-19
You can work from home or access paid special leave
You will need to be absent from work for up to 14 calendar days (i.e. up to 10 working days).
Options available:
- Work from home if role deemed suitable by Manager
- If you are unable to work from home, you can access paid extra special leave for 10 working days.
Please note you must return to work on the next working day following a negative test result.
You are caring for family member who has been sent home for precautionary reasons (school or child care centres closures, elderly care)
You can work from home or access carers leave
- If you are able to work from home, you can do so with your Manager’s approval
- If you are unable to work from home, you can access carers leave
- If you have a zero personal leave balance or if you get to a zero balance Ausgrid will give you paid special leave up to an extra 10 working days
- If at the end of the paid extra special leave you require additional time off, you can access other leave types.
If you have feedback to provide, please contact me via email on tdunne@usu.org.au or on 0419 403 076 or
Paul Sansom via email at psansom@usu.org.au or on 0409 076 633.
