ADA HR FEATURE
Employee Leave Entitlements A guide to what you must know Employee leave entitlements can often be tricky for practices to navigate. It is critical that employers understand employee leave entitlements, as disputes about leave can damage employment relationships and reduce productivity. A well-drafted leave policy is an effective way for a practice to communicate its expectations to employees and is undoubtedly helpful to resolve any disputes that may arise over leave entitlements.
This guide will cover the different types of leave accessible to National System employees, and what should be included in a leave policy and how it can be used to manage employee leave entitlements. The Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (the Act) and the National Employment Standards (NES). The Act is the foundation of Australian workplace relations and includes the NES. The NES represent the minimum entitlements that must be provided to all employees. Among others, these include several leave entitlements: • Parental leave and related entitlements • Annual leave • Personal/carer’s leave, compassionate leave and unpaid family and domestic violence leave
• Community-service leave • Long service leave • Public holidays
This guide will focus on annual leave and personal/carer’s leave as these are the most accessed leave entitlements.
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EDITION 5 | 2021 Western Articulator
