Aussies in one state to get 10 days of extra leave – what you need to know

Workers in one Australian state are about to get an extra 10 days of leave from  September 30, doubling the allowance available in any other state or territory.  Queensland public sector staff will get the extra leave for their reproductive health in a move first outlined in May but now expanded to include around 290,000
Aussies in one state to get 10 days of extra leave – what you need to know

Workers in one Australian state are about to get an extra 10 days of leave from  September 30, doubling the allowance available in any other state or territory. 

Queensland public sector staff will get the extra leave for their reproductive health in a move first outlined in May but now expanded to include around 290,000 staff.

Premier Steven Miles said it is designed to ensure workers have enough time off to look after their fertility, with preventative health measures, screenings, IVF, hysterectomies and vasectomies among the treatments covered. 

Conditions such as endometriosis, dysmenorrhea and severe menopause will also be included. 

‘We make history again with the announcement that some of the best workplace entitlements in the nation will be extended to even more Queensland workers,’ Mr Miles said.

‘I always want Queensland’s incredible public sector to shine as an employer of choice and I hope to see other organisations follow our lead when it comes to backing the health and equity of workers.

‘This is both about improving pay equity for women in the workforce and supporting the health and wellbeing of the workers who make this state a better place.’

The extra 10 days will be added to government employees’ entitlements such as annual leave, sick leave and other types of time off.

Workers in one Australian state are about to get an extra 10 days of leave from September 30, doubling the allowance available in any other state or territory (stock image)

Workers in one Australian state are about to get an extra 10 days of leave from September 30, doubling the allowance available in any other state or territory (stock image)

Queensland public sector staff will get the extra leave for their reproductive health in a move first outlined in May but now expanded to include around 290,000 staff (stock image)

Queensland public sector staff will get the extra leave for their reproductive health in a move first outlined in May but now expanded to include around 290,000 staff (stock image)

Be the first to commentBe one of the first to commentComments
Do you think workers need more days of leave?

Comment now

It will not be cumulative, though, so any unused days cannot be rolled over into the following year.

Reproductive health leave already exists in Victoria, NSW and the ACT, where five days per year can be claimed. 

South Australia, Northern Territory, Tasmania and Western Australia do not offer reproductive health leave to their public sector employees.

The Queensland government initiative is expected to cost about $90million a year.

Reproductive leave is not included in the National Employment Standards and is currently only available in a very limited number of private sector employers.

‘Too many workers have been penalised or forced to bow out of employment because of reproductive health issues,’ Australian Council of Trade Unions president Michele O’Neil said.

‘Unions will campaign for a universal paid 10 days leave to enable all workers access to this important category of leave.

‘Working people have already campaigned, and won, this entitlement at some workplaces but we want to see this extended as a basic entitlement to all Australian workers.’

Total
0
Shares
Leave a Reply
Related Posts
Sinaloa Cartel co-founder to make US court appearance
Read More

Sinaloa Cartel co-founder to make US court appearance

Sinaloa Cartel co-founder Ismael Zambada Garcia is to appear in court on Thursday amid ongoing mystery about the circumstances surrounding the arrest of the alleged Mexican drug trafficking kingpin. Zambada, 76, was taken into US custody a week ago after landing in a private plane at an airstrip outside El Paso, Texas, with Joaquin Guzman
Olympian Sharron Davies rages that Games chiefs are ‘allowing women to be beaten up by men’, Liz Truss asks ‘when will this madness stop? and JK Rowling slams ‘bullying cheat’ after ‘biological male’ Imane Khelif wins 46-second Games fight
Read More

Olympian Sharron Davies rages that Games chiefs are ‘allowing women to be beaten up by men’, Liz Truss asks ‘when will this madness stop? and JK Rowling slams ‘bullying cheat’ after ‘biological male’ Imane Khelif wins 46-second Games fight

Olympian Sharron Davies has blasted organisers of the Paris games for 'allowing women to be beaten up by men' after a boxing match between a 'biological male' and female fighter ended in just 46 seconds.  Italian Angela Carini threw in the towel after just two punches from her opponent Imane Khelif - who was banned from