Getting paid while in isolation.
The Fair Work Commission has granted paid pandemic leave to aged care workers under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2010, Aged Care Award 2010, and Nurses Award 2010, effective from 29 July to 29 October 2020.
Eligibility Clause
This leave applies to full-time, part-time, and regular casual employees required to isolate due to COVID-19 symptoms or exposure, providing up to two weeks of paid leave.
Full payment or Hourly Rate
Entitlements include full ordinary pay for full-time employees and either a higher hourly rate or average weekly earnings for part-time and casual workers.
Medical Certificate Required
Employees must obtain a medical certificate and follow isolation protocols as advised by medical or government authorities to qualify for the leave.
Among the decisions that were amended by a Full bench of the Fair Work Commission on 8 July was setting down the right provisions and entitlements to unpaid pandemic leave, specifically in the Health award sectors.
Unions have recently accepted the decision to finally extend compensated pandemic leave to aged care employees, specifically those who are covered by Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2010; Aged Care Award 2010, and Nurses Award 2010.
What are the awards?
What are awards?
Awards are statutory documents that details out the fair wage levels and working conditions. There are approximately 122 modern awards that are applicable to both employers and employees depending on the industry. Each award has its own information regarding who it covers.
What is it for?
The entitlement applies for individuals, both regular and systematic casuals, who are required to undergo isolation due to having COVID-19 symptoms or have been in contact with someone suspected to have the virus. This means employees are entitled with up to two-week worth of paid leave during the isolation and does not affect other leave benefits.
Aged care workers covered by specific awards now have access to paid pandemic leave, ensuring support during isolation.
Proper documentation via a medical certificate and following isolation advice are needed to qualify for pandemic leave.
Who is it for?
For full-time employees who shall receive an equivalent ordinary hourly pay rate during the leave period.
For part-time employees who can either be paid (1) greater than their ordinary hourly rate to be agreed upon, or (2) average weekly hours in the previous six weeks.
For casual employees, both regular and systematic schedule, who shall be extended with the entitlement with their average earning in the previous six weeks.
How does it work?
The pandemic leave is applicable to workers who have been required by their employer, a medical practitioner, or a government medical authority to undergo a self-isolation.
An employee must therefore agree to undertake a COVID-19 test, and where the isolation must be a result from a medical practitioner’s advice. Hence, a medical certificate will be required.
The pandemic leave for aged care workers will apply from 29 July until 29 October 2020.
