QTAD Q&A
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 124 No 2, 15 March 2019, page no. 27
Did you know you can access your own sick leave for family illness purposes?
Like sick leave, carer’s leave is an entitlement. You can use sick leave accrued since 1 July 1995 to care for members of your immediate family or members of your household who are ill.
Under the Queensland Industrial Relations Act (2016), there may be the requirement to furnish medical documentation or documentary evidence if requested by the employer. This can be requested following two days of absence.
Similarly, if caring for a family member one day per week, supporting medical documentation should be provided to allow access to sick leave entitlements.
We have received an email indicating that we need to provide a medical certificate if we are away sick on a day before/after a public holiday, and on a day before/after school vacation. Is this accurate?
This is not entirely accurate. Teachers are only required to provide a medical certificate for absences greater than three days (for their own illness), as per the state public service directive.
It may be reasonable to make a request for a medical certificate where a teacher is absent for three days or less if they are subject to a process for monitoring performance (MUP), conduct, or attendance.
It is not appropriate for schools to develop their own policy regarding sick leave and when medical certificates are required.
I’m on long service leave for semester one and need to have a knee replacement. Is it possible to change my long service to sick leave?
Yes. In accordance with the public service sick leave directive, you can apply for sick leave while on long service leave, if:
- the period of illness is more than three working days
- a medical certificate is provided.
It should be noted that if you are on long service leave at half-pay, then the sick leave shall also be at half-pay and will be deducted at the rate of two and a half hours for each day.
REMINDER: The 2019 experienced senior teacher selection process closes soon
If you are a senior teacher and have been so for two years (full-time equivalent) by 30 June 2019, then you are eligible to apply in this round, which closes on 29 March. Applications are to be submitted via www.smartjobs.qld.gov.au
Applicants will be advised of the outcome via email on 15 July (this is subject to change).
Not sure if you are eligible? Contact the payroll teacher classification team at tct@qed.qld.gov.au stating the nature of your enquiry, your full name and your employee number, or call 1300 365 718.