North Sydney Council staff could get more leave to help their ‘work-life balance’

SENIOR staff a Sydney council could be getting an extra 10 days holiday a year to help their “work-life balance”. Yeah, we’re jealous too.

Outside generic shots of north Sydney Council 2 Jan, 2008. Outside generic shots of north Sydney Council (photo by Danielle Butters)

SENIOR staff a Sydney council could be getting an extra 10 days holiday a year to help their “work-life balance”.

North Sydney Council’s general manager Warwick Winn and six executives, who earn more than $1.5 million combined, are in line for the benefit.

Senior staff currently receive 20 days annual leave.

The new arrangement, called concessional leave in council documents, was passed at the last council meeting but the decision has been frozen by a rescission motion.

North Sydney mayor Jilly Gibson wants the matter further investigated, saying the practice was unheard of in both local government and industry.

“Council needs to be mindful of practice in local government generally and in private organisations,” Cr Gibson said.

“I believe other executives out there would be amazed at such a request.”

Mr Winn said it was just the formalisation of a previous arrangement.

“In the past, when excessive hours had been worked they were dealt with on an informal basis, but given the current situation, having some formality and transparency was beneficial,” he said.

North Sydney mayor Jilly Gibson.

“Senior staff work very hard for the organisation and the community and do long hours. This is an opportunity to provide work-life balance.”

Concessional leave is on full pay and is not debited from annual or long-service leave entitlements.

In a statement, the council said senior contract staff regularly work outside core business hours, often attending meetings after 6pm and events on weekends and public holidays.

They do not receive the overtime, time off in lieu or have access to flexitime available to other staff.

“Indoor council staff work a 35-hour week,” the statement said. “Concessional leave, therefore, gives the senior staff the same ­flexibility that other staff have through flexitime or ­rostered days off.”

Under draft plans, the staff can take only two days concessional leave a month.

The general manager, ­directors and chief operating officer will be entitled to the leave.

According to the latest annual report, the general manager earned $322,181 and the directors earned a combined $1,200,690.

Originally published as North Sydney Council staff could get more leave to help their ‘work-life balance’