Bosses reminded of Christmas Eve obligations to staff
The Queensland Government has urged businesses to remember that Christmas Eve is now a part-day public holiday, saying bosses need to remember staff who were rostered on were entitled to holiday pay after 6pm.
Queensland bosses have been urged to remember part of Christmas Eve is now a public holiday. Photo: Louis Hansel/Unsplash
Industrial Relations Minister GraceGrace said she wanted to reminded Queensland business owners of their obligations ahead of the public holiday, which beings at 6pm on Christmas Eve.
Grace said Christmas Eve was “an important time, with many families celebrating the festive season”.
“Christmas Eve should be spent with loved ones, but if you have to work there should be appropriate pay,” she said.
“Under the laws we passed last year, employees who work between 6pm and midnight on Christmas Eve are entitled to receive public holiday penalty rates, as provided for in their awards or agreements.
“Now that the part-day public holiday is in place, essential service workers, retail staff and shop employees will get a little extra in their pay-packet for having to give up that family time.
“The declaration of a part-day public holiday also allows employees to refuse to work under reasonable circumstances on the part-day.”
Last year, Queensland became the third Australian jurisdiction to implement a Christmas Eve part day public holiday, following similar moves by South Australia and the Northern Territory.
The Palaszczuk Government amended the Holidays Act 1983 to provide for the Christmas Eve part-day public holiday in 2020 following strong community support for the new part-day public holiday during public consultation.
