Steelworks staff will be able to take paid time off

Whyalla steelworks staff were raising concerns that booked annual leave would not be honoured by the administrator, but it is understood that is not the case.

The Whyalla steelworks.

Whyalla steelworks staff have been distressed about the prospect of not being able to take holiday breaks they have already booked, however it is understood that this annual leave will be honoured, and new requests will be dealt with in a reasonable manner.

Whyalla workers have contacted The Advertiser, concerned that they could be forced to take unpaid leave in order to go on holidays which they have already booked and paid for, or that they might not be able to book any new leave until they have accrued enough leave under the new management.

An information sheet for employees published by the administrator KordaMentha indicates that staff should not be concerned about having to take unpaid leave for time off which they booked before February 19, when the administrator took over the running of the steelworks.

The document says that “leave which was approved by your line manager prior to February 19, 2025, will be processed and paid as per usual’’.

And while technically staff are only eligible to book new leave up to the amount accrued since the administrator’s appointment, it is understood that this will be managed in a reasonable way and on a case by case basis.

While the employee document sets out a more black and white approach, The Advertiser understands that KordaMentha will be sensitive to employees’ needs to take annual leave, especially considering that the administration could take many months.

The staff FAQ says “you will only be able to utilise leave entitlements that have been accrued during the administration period for this purpose’’.

However it goes on to say, “Any other leave requests will be considered on a case by case basis by the administration’’.

Staff cannot however, cash out accrued annual and long service leave at this time.

One Whyalla worker who spoke to The Advertiser on an anonymous basis, said staff at the steelworks had been working extremely hard for the past couple of years, and they and their colleagues were distressed at the notion of not being able to take a break for an extended period of time.

They also said the steelworks had been short-staffed which had added to the workforce’s stress levels.