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Staff leave

 

Staff leave

WHAT LEAVE DO I NEED TO TAKE IF I AM CONSIDERED A CLOSE CONTACT?

If staff members are critical to healthcare service delivery and return a day one negative PCR test, they can return to work with additional precautions with permission from an authorised manager.

If you are unwell and have NOT tested positive to COVID, you should remain away from the workplace and you will need to access your sick leave.

Further information about requirements for close contacts is available here.

WHAT TYPE OF LEAVE DO I NEED TO USE IF I TEST POSITIVE TO COVID-19?

If you test positive you need to inform your line manager and complete the CALHN online form.

If you tested positive via a RAT you must also notify SA Health of your positive test using the SA Health online form.

It is important that you follow instructions, remain away from the workplace for 7 days, and inform your close contacts to get tested if they develop symptoms.

If you have tested positive to COVID-19 and are well enough to work from home and are able to in your role, you should also complete the work from home online form for your line manager’s approval.

Get further information for CALHN staff who have tested positive for COVID-19.

WHAT LEAVE DO I TAKE?

From 14 October 2022, permanent and temporary staff who test positive to COVID-19 and are unable to work from home may access COVID-19 Special Leave with Pay during the 7 day workplace exclusion period. A maximum of 15 days COVID-19 Special Leave with Pay is available annually.

You will be required to provide suitable evidence to your line manager or other delegate, which may include any SA Health or SA Pathology notifications of your positive test result. Requests for Special Leave can be approved by a Level 4 delegate and applications should be submitted using the paper-based form, not through HR21.

If you are unwell following the initial 7 day period you should remain away from the workplace and access sick leave.

Working from home may be permitted if you are mildly symptomatic but otherwise remain well enough to work, and appropriate duties are available. This should be discussed with your line manager, and if able to be accommodated you should complete the work from home online form for your line manager’s approval.

LEAVE FOR STAFF THAT HAVE BEEN DIRECTED TO UNDERTAKE A PCR TEST

If a staff member has been directed by their manager or clinical worker health team to undergo a PCR test, any period waiting in line to be tested will be treated as paid work time, including reasonable travel time from their home or workplace to the testing facility.

Evidence of testing may be required. For further information please speak to your HR Business Partner.

VULNERABLE EMPLOYEES

Those at higher risk continue to be:

  • 70 years and older; or 
  • one or more specific pre-existing medical conditions.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples may also be at increased risk of severe disease in any public health emergency and should be considered a priority population when assessing potential risk related to COVID-19.

In areas of sustained low cases of COVID-19, current health advice is that all employees, even those at higher risk of more severe disease, can return to the workplace with appropriate controls in place.

If you are a vulnerable employee at higher risk, you should seek advice from your medical practitioner or the Clinical Worker Health team regarding risk minimisation in your workplace.

If a vulnerable employee has been cleared to return to the workplace but wishes to remain at home, and flexible working arrangements are not practicable or appropriate, the employee will access their personal leave entitlements, or leave without pay.

If you live with a vulnerable family member and wish to remain away from the workplace, agencies may offer access to flexible working arrangements where practicable and appropriate. Where it is not practicable and appropriate, you will need to access your personal leave entitlements, or leave without pay.

WHAT IF I AM REQUIRED TO CARE FOR A FAMILY MEMBER WHO IS COVID POSITIVE?

You may access an uncapped amount of your accrued sick/carer’s leave for COVID-19 caring purposes each year. Evidence of the need to access carers leave for COVID-19 purposes may be required in line with existing requirements for accessing sick leave. Such evidence can include official SA Health or SA Pathology communications sent via text.

If you have exhausted your carers leave entitlements, you may seek to access your personal annual, LSL or retention leave entitlements or leave without pay.

WHAT LEAVE DO I USE IF I HAVE A COLD OR AM GENERALLY UNWELL?

Normal sick leave provisions apply.

WHAT LEAVE DO I USE IF MY CHILD OR CLOSE FAMILY MEMBER HAS A NON-COVID-19 RELATED ILLNESS AND I NEED TO TAKE TIME OFF TO CARE FOR THEM?

Normal carer’s leave provisions apply.

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