Five days’ paid leave for Qld public servants mourning the Voice

Queensland public servants have been offered five days’ special paid leave for psychological distress if they are grieving the outcome of the failed Voice to Parliament referendum.

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Queensland public servants have been offered five days’ special paid leave for psychological distress if they are grieving the outcome of the failed Voice to Parliament referendum.

Public Sector Commissioner David Mackie wrote to directors-general this week saying they could offer workers special leave – an entitlement that is usually unpaid – in addition to the sick leave.

In an email seen by The Courier-Mail, Mr Mackie said the initiative was to ensure government workplaces were kept psychologically and culturally safe after the referendum result.

“To help ensure this is realised, employees who are experiencing challenges with their social and emotional wellbeing at this time, such that they feel that they should not attend the workplace, should be supported in accessing appropriate leave entitlements to look after their health and wellbeing,” Mr Mackie wrote.

Queensland led the nation in overwhelmingly rejecting an Indigenous Voice to Parliament being enshrined in the Constitution, with almost 70 per cent voting no in last Saturday’s referendum.

Public Sector Commissioner David Mackie

The email on Wednesday called for departments across the public service to acknowledge the emotional impact the referendum result would have on First Nations workers in the public service.

Mr Mackie said chief executives were able to consider approving up to five days special leave for “exceptional circumstances in the first instance”.

“Some employees may also choose to return to country and their local communities to support each other in grieving the outcome of the referendum,” he wrote.

“Employees may be able to seek access to paid special leave for this period.

“Delegates can exercise discretion to approve such leave, if appropriate.”

Mr Mackie said cultural leave applied in very specific circumstances, and department bosses were urged to instead consider out-of-office arrangements.

“We also encourage you to consider how flexible work options might best support employees to meet community obligations during this time,” he wrote.

Indigenous leaders committed to a week of mourning following Saturday’s referendum defeat, where the national majority and every state voted against the Voice.

A spokesman for the Public Sector Commission did not say how many workers had asked for or been granted leave, noting it “does not have access to information”.