A High Court majority confirmed yesterday that paid personal/carer’s leave is calculated at one tenth of an employee’s ordinary hours.  Read more, here.

ACTU secretary Sally McManus has since spoken out against the Federal Government, claiming that by not stepping in to protect workers’ paid personal/carer’s leave entitlements, it is broadening the “massive gap” in the defences against COVID-19 which exist “because all workers do not have access to paid pandemic leave”.

McManus is calling on the Federal Government to amend the Fair Work Act to ensure all workers have ten days paid personal/carer’s leave each year regardless of their hours worked and provide paid pandemic leave for all workers.

It is unlikely the Government will make the amendments sought which would essentially reverse the High Court decision and cost employers over two billion dollars.

We will keep you updated if there are any changes or further support measures announced in relation to paid pandemic leave.