LONG SERVICE LEAVE

The Regulations for the taking of Long Service Leave (LSL) have been varied to allow for the taking of Long Service Leave in single days.

Members may be aware that up until this change, LSL could only be taken for a minimum of 7 days.

There has been no change to the manner in which LSL is accrued, nor any change to the number of days available.

An employee who has 10 years or more effective service is entitled to the following LSL:-

    .    90 calendar days in respect of the first 10 years of effective service;
    .    9 calendars days in respect of each subsequent year of effective service;
    .    15 calendar days in respect of the 16th and subsequent year of effective service.

After seven years service, pro-rata LSL applies on resignation. If an employer agrees to an employee's application, LSL may be available to an ongoing employee who has between seven and ten years service.

The complicating factor when taking less than 7 days LSL is that LSL is calculated in calendar days.  A calendar day is equivalent to 1.4 working days.  Therefore for every single day of LSL you take, your LSL credit would reduce by 1.4 days.

There has been no change to the process of taking LSL for periods of more than 7 days.

The provision to allow the taking of LSL in single days provides a range of new options for members when balancing work and family commitments.  For instance you could apply to take 1 or 2 days of LSL per week for a period of time.  This would have you working on a part-time basis whilst continuing to be paid full time. 

For members reaching retirement age, the option to work part-time and continue to be paid full time may have some real benefits and make the transition to retirement a more gradual process.