With the Christmas holidays fast approaching, it's time to start planning your business’s leave and shut-down.
According to Fair Work, an employer can direct their staff to take annual leave while the business has shut down if your award or registered agreement allows it. In most cases, the direction must be reasonable, in writing and given to affected employees within the required notice period.
If a staff member does not have enough annual leave to cover the shut down, they may take leave they haven’t yet accrued or take unpaid leave.
If an employee continues to work during a shut-down, they should receive their normal pay.
You are able to ask your staff to work overtime or on public holidays if the request is reasonable. This will depend on the needs of the business, the role of the employee, how much notice you give them and what their contract says.
For more on the leave rules during the holiday seasons, visit https://www.fairwork.gov.au/newsroom/news/rules-and-entitlements-during-end-year-holiday-season
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