Employees are able to take leave to engage in eligible community service activities. Leave also takes into account reasonable travel and rest time (except in cases of jury service). Eligible activities include:
- Jury service
- Voluntary emergency management activity:
- dealing with an emergency/natural disaster
- engaging in activity on a voluntary basis, or
- employee is in an association with a recognised management body and is requested by the body to engage in an activity or it would be reasonable to expect that they would participate.
In accordance with the Fair Work Act, recognised bodies include: Commonwealth/state body for coping with emergencies; fire-fighting/civil defence/rescue body; body concerned with safety of people/animals in emergency/natural disaster or protecting property.
In terms of jury service, community service leave payment is not available to casual employees. Other employees must be paid at their base rate of pay for their ordinary hours. However, payment is only required for the first 10 days of absence from work.
How can Prime Lawyers help you?
For more information on the the community service leave employment standard or to talk to a solicitor, please call us on (02) 9521 2222. The employment law solicitors at Prime are experienced in employment matters and can provide you with professional advice following careful consideration of your situation.