University staff given option to work on national holiday

The University of Wollongong in Australia is giving staff the option to work through the Australia Day holiday on 26 January – seen as Invasion Day by First Nations people – making it the latest employer to offer the policy in a show of solidarity with First Nations people, writes Caitlin Cassidy for The Guardian Australia.

The university announced on Monday 9 January that it would offer all fixed-term and permanent employees the flexibility to work rather than taking the day as a public holiday, citing the painful associations it may have for indigenous communities. Employees who choose to work can instead take leave on 27 January or 30 January.

The announcement – which follows consultation with staff unions – comes after some major businesses introduced similar policies.
Full report on The Guardian site