Christmas Eve declared part-day Public Holiday in Queensland

On 27 November 2019, the proposed legislation to enshrine 6pm – midnight on Christmas Eve as a public holiday was passed by Queensland Parliament. The approval of the Bill had been anticipated, given the recommendation of the Education, Employment and Small Business Committee that the proposed legislation be passed, despite the fact it was universally opposed by employer groups during the consultation process.

The result is that 6pm to midnight on Christmas Eve is now enshrined as a part-day public holiday in Queensland which means workers can reasonably refuse to perform shifts during this period and, in the case of award-covered employees, work performed after 6pm on Christmas Eve will now attract the designated public holiday penalty set by the employee’s prevailing industrial instrument (in many cases, this will be double time and a half). Permanent (full-time or part-time) employees who would ordinarily have rostered hours between 6pm – midnight on 24 December are also entitled to be absent during the period, without loss of pay, unless their employer reasonably requires them to work.

Subscribers who are unclear of their obligations to staff in light of this recent development are invited to contact the advice line on (07) 3220 3500 for assistance.