University staff given option to work on national holiday

The Guardian Australia 11 January 2023

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

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