Peak union body wants paid jab leave for Qld public servants

Queensland’s peak union body says public servants should be given additional paid leave to get their Covid-19 vaccination – and if they suffer any side effects.

Public servants should be given additional time off to get their Covid-19 jab, but also if they suffer any side effects, Queensland’s peak union body says.

Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace today said she wasn’t aware of any public servant, including casuals, that had not been accommodated with “some sort of paid leave” to get the jab.

“We have very generous leave arrangements, and we’re considering a range of factors, supply is always an issue, and of course the differing operational needs of agencies, but no public sector worker that I’m aware of, casual workers or any public sector worker has been denied paid time off to be vaccinated,” she said.

Queensland Council of Unions secretary Michael Clifford says the State Government should lead by example. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

Asked whether the paid leave being offered to staff was in addition to traditional leave arrangements, Ms Grace said she believed it was part of the “flexible work arrangements”.

But Queensland Council of Unions secretary Michael Clifford told The Courier-Mail many government agencies weren’t giving paid time off, with some staff being encouraged to use their “flexi time”.

He said other staff including correction officers, disability workers and teachers didn’t have access to paid time.

“There is no whole-of-government policy,” he said.

“Using flexi time is not an adequate response.

“We are closing down schools because of this pandemic, we are closing down whole sections of our economy because of this pandemic – if we can’t give people a few hours off to go and get vaccinated … which may well prevent some of those lockdowns in the future, then something is wrong.”

“Flexi time” is time owed to staff when they work outside their set hours.

The QCU executive this week passed a resolution calling on employers, including the state government, to provide up to two additional days leave per vaccination.

“We call on the Queensland Government, as Queensland’s largest employer, to set the example by introducing leave for workers to receive vaccinations in paid time,” the resolution said.