What is Paid Pandemic Leave?

Note: the following blog discusses now-expired Paid Pandemic leave. This blog is out of date.

The Fair Work Commission has introduced two weeks of paid leave for aged care industry workers covered under the Aged Care Award, Nurses Award and Health Professionals and Support Services Award.  

This change went into effect on 29 July 2020. 

What are the Changes? 

Permanent and regular and systematic casual employees covered by the impacted Awards who are engaged in the “aged care industry” are entitled to up to 2 weeks’ paid pandemic leave where they are prevented from working (including working from home) due to: 

• being required to self-isolate or quarantine by government, medical authorities or their employer; or  

• being required to self-isolate on the advice of a medical practitioner due to displaying COVID-19 symptoms or have come into contact with a person suspected of having contracted COVID-19; or 

• the employee being in isolation or quarantine whilst waiting for COVID-19 test results; or  

• measures taken by government or medical authorities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic 

Who Does This Affect? 

This ruling affects employers under the Aged Care Award, Nurses Award and Health Professionals and Support Services Award, who have permanent, and regular and systematic casual employees employed in the “aged care industry”. 

It is important to emphasise that not all employees covered under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 and Nurses Award 2010 will be entitled to paid pandemic leave. It is limited to those employees who are engaged in the “aged care industry”. 

Employees can only access this leave if they meet certain conditions. For example, if they satisfy the criteria for paid personal leave, they must take that paid entitlement, not paid pandemic leave. 

What is Defined as the Aged Care Industry? 

The aged care industry means the “provision of accommodation and care services for aged persons in a hostel, nursing home, aged care independent living units, aged care serviced apartments, garden settlement, retirement village or any other residential accommodation facility”. 

How Much Is the Paid Pandemic Leave Payment? 

Paid pandemic leave payments are paid to employees in the same way as they would be paid other types of leave. 

Only permanent, and regular and systematic casual employees are entitled to this payment. 

If you like more information on paid pandemic leave, please get in touch with Peninsula. 

Can My Employee Get Unpaid Pandemic Leave? 

This will depend on the modern award that applies to the employee. Most modern awards now have specific provisions for unpaid pandemic leave. If you would like to know if your employees are affected, contact Peninsula to find out more.