SA Health’s Special Leave for staff with Covid faces being dumped

Automatic Special Leave for SA Health staff who test positive to Covid-19 is being reassessed, with plans for such workers no longer be directed to stay home from work unless they are ill.

SA Health is planning to end the directive that staff with Covid stay home — and also end the Special Leave arrangements and instead make employees take normal sick leave if they are too ill to work.

Since the pandemic hit, staff who tested positive have been put on a week’s furlough and automatically gained access to the Special Leave provisions.

However, authorities are reviewing this arrangement.

A memo to staff says: “It is proposed that employees who test positive to Covid-19 will no longer be directed to remain absent from the workplace, and as a result no longer automatically receive Special Leave for Covid-19.

SA Health is planning to end the directive that staff with Covid stay home . (Photo by Punit PARANJPE / AFP)

“Therefore, it is proposed that an employee who tests positive for Covid-19 will be able to access their existing sick leave entitlements if they are unable to work in line with medical recommendations, consistent with other illnesses.”

To minimise risks to patients and other staff, leaders will make risk assessments of their “higher-risk patient environments.”

Staff with Covid who work in such areas — and are well enough to work — may have to wear personal protective equipment, work from home or be assigned duties in alternative areas until they no longer test positive.

However, it appears some workers may still be able to access a form of special leave.

“In the event mitigating measures cannot be put in place for employees who are able to work while Covid positive, employees will be able to access special leave with pay,” the memo states.

SA Health is now seeking staff feedback, while healthcare unions are considering the implications.

Dr Samantha Mead, ANMF SA executive director, said: “ANMF SA has been made aware of SA Health’s proposed changes to existing Covid-19 leave arrangements for staff.

“As always, the wellbeing of nurses, midwives and personal care workers is our greatest priority. We will consult with members to ensure they are informed on the proposed changes and any impacts these are expected to have.”

SA Health deputy chief executive Judith Formston said in line with the changing environment around Covid management in the community, SA Health is moving towards managing it in accordance with other respiratory conditions.

“SA Health is the last state government agency at which staff automatically receive paid special leave for Covid-19, with all others reverting to pre-Covid procedures, with the ability to access special leave in some circumstances,” she said.

“As with all respiratory conditions, policies and procedures are always in place to protect staff and patients. If staff are unwell and have symptoms, as with any illness, they should stay home.”

She said risk assessments would be made on staff well enough to work and if no alternative is available they may be able to apply for special leave with pay.

Originally published as SA Health’s Special Leave for staff with Covid faces being dumped