20/12/05
Employers and employees need to be aware of their obligations over the Christmas period, Consumer and Employment Protection Minister John Kobelke said today.
“The public holidays of Christmas Day and New Year’s Day fall on a Sunday this year, so working arrangements need careful consideration,” Mr Kobelke said.
“When the Christmas period public holidays fall on a weekend, additional public holidays are designated on the following Monday or Tuesday.
"The designated public holidays for the Christmas period are Sunday, December 25, Monday, December 26, and Tuesday, December 27.
“For the New Year, the holidays are Sunday, January 1, 2006, and Monday, January 2, 2006. Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve are not prescribed as public holidays.”
The Minister said employees’ entitlements and appropriate working arrangements should be checked in the relevant industrial awards or agreements that operated in various workplaces.
The Department of Consumer and Employment Protection receives many inquiries about holiday working arrangements and employee entitlements at this time of the year.
The Labour Relations Division of DOCEP produces a useful annual guide to help employers and employees understand their rights and obligations over the Christmas period.
If employers have any inquiries, they should contact Wageline on 1300 655 266.
Minister's office: 9222 9211
