Staff Leave Update for the H1 N1 Flu
Colleagues
Clarification of Isolation Leave for H1 N1 Flu in Protect Phase
Earlier in the Isolation Phase of the ANU H1 N1 response we decided that staff who were contact and required by the Health Authorities to isolate themselves would be eligible for Paid Isolation Leave. As these staff were not actually sick (just contacts) they could not access personal leave.
Now that we have moved to Protect Phase, isolation of contacts is no longer required and accordingly staff requiring leave for an H1 N1 illness (as with any other illness) should access their normal sick leave.
Managing staff who are sick at work
In previous advice to staff, ANU has emphasised the need for staff with flu like symptoms not attend work. This is to ensure that they get better and their co-workers are not infected. The question has been raised about what to do if a staff member comes to work regardless or refuses to go home. Managers/Supervisors have an obligation to protect the health and safely of their staff, including protection from injury and illness and the OHS Act gives ANU the right to direct an employee to go home until they can provide a medical certificate indicating they are fit for work if they are concerned about the risk to other staff or students.
Should you have any concerns about the appropriateness of a staff member being at work, please seek advice from your local HR Manager or contact the staff.health@anu.edu.au email.
Regards
Steven Dover
Associate Director, HR Strategy & Development
The Australian National University
Chancelry Building 10A, The Australian National University, CANBERRA, ACT, 0200
T: +61 2 612 53360 M: +61 0417 77 55 11 F: +61 2 612 50559
E: steven.dover@anu.edu.au W: http://info.anu.edu.au/hr/
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