What happens when an employee or business is suffering from a natural disaster?
Australians are often subjected to a number of natural disasters, such as bushfires or flooding, and often employers are not sure what to do if an employee cannot make it to work due to a disaster or if the business must close.
What if an employee cannot attend work due to a disaster?
There are a number of options to consider when an employee cannot attend work. Firstly, if an employee or an employee’s immediate family member sustains an injury they can be entitled to paid personal carer’s leave. If an employee’s child attends a school that is forced to close due to a natural disaster, the employee is also entitled to paid personal carers leave whilst caring for their child.
An employee is entitled to two days of paid compassionate leave if a member of their immediate family sustains a life-threatening illness or injury, or due to a death of the employee’s immediate family or household member.
If entitlements do not apply, employees may request to use their annual leave or be unpaid for the time they are away from the workplace.
What if the business is required to temporarily close?
The Fair Work Act includes a provision which allows an employer to temporarily stand down their employees without pay if they cannot be employed due to a stoppage of work which the employer cannot be reasonably held responsible for. An employer may wish to use their own discretion and provide employees with the paid option of taking their annual leave entitlements if they wish to be paid for the period of time, however this must be mutually agreed between both parties. It is important that all employers have records of the request to ensure there are no disputes in the future.
For more information visit www.hairandbeautyaustralia.com.au