From the General Secretary's desk, 10 July 2024 | Open PDF
Leave for participation in NAIDOC activities
Welcome back for Term 3! The QTU recognises the importance of this week – the National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) Week – and with many activities occurring during school term time, wants to ensure that members can participate fully.
Delegates at May State Council called on the Department of Education to ensure that, from day 1 of this term, appropriate arrangements were put in place for First Nations staff and students who choose to engage in their local NAIDOC Week observances.
The QTU wrote to the department in early June seeking access to paid leave for those employees participating in cultural activities with their local communities.
During the recent vacation, we received correspondence from the department advising that NAIDOC is supported by the Department of Education and is promoted within schools across the state.
DoE confirmed that an employee who is required by Aboriginal tradition or Island custom to attend an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander ceremony may apply for either unpaid cultural leave or access their paid long service leave as cultural leave.
Paid special leave is available for kinship obligations under the Special Leave Directive (05/17), and employees are entitled to three days leave under these provisions.
Members are encouraged to discuss their need for leave to attend NAIDOC Week activities with their principal, and principals are required to take into consideration the school’s capacity to reorganise work arrangements to accommodate the employee’s request. Leave requests must not be unreasonably refused and will be granted in accordance with the applicable provisions.
If your leave is unreasonably refused, please contact the QTU at services@qtu.asn.au
Enjoy the NAIDOC Week celebrations in your school and community. We look forward to receiving your photos! Please send them to comms@qtu.asn.au so we can share them on social media.
Kate Ruttiman
General Secretary
Authorised by Kate Ruttiman, General Secretary, Queensland Teachers' Union
21 Graham Street, Milton, QLD, Australia, 4064