Proposed changes to the Hort Award

The Fair Work Commission (FWC) has also announced a proposal to vary the award to include a provision for 'unpaid pandemic leave', which would include:

The right for employees to take two weeks of “unpaid pandemic leave”; and
The capacity for employer and employee to agree for the employee to take twice as much annual leave at half pay.

“Unpaid Pandemic Leave” would be available where the employee cannot work due to measures taken by government in response to COVID-19, such as the requirement to self-isolate. The employer may require the employee to give evidence to confirm the need to take the leave. It’s not clear what form the evidence would take.

The provision will only be effective during the pandemic. The leave will be available to all employees, including casuals. A 'double leave at half pay' situation would be available by agreement.

Source: APAL