There are 2 bills currently progressing through the parliamentary process which we will further update you on if/when they are passed into law.
The first is for an increase in minimum sick leave entitlement from 5 days to 10 days per annum. A Supplementary Order was submitted last week to increase the cap from 20 days to 25 days accrual. The Holidays (Increasing Sick Leave) Amendment Bill is now before the Committee of Whole House so is close to being passed into legislation.
The key to note is that if this change is passed into law, it will only come into effect 2 months after it receives Royal Assent. The increased entitlement and changes would then only apply from each employee’s next entitlement date.
For example, if the increase in minimum entitlement became law on 1st June 2020, it would only apply to entitlements that fall due from and after 1st August 2020. No changes to an existing employee’s entitlements would be required.
The second is the Holidays (Parent-Teacher Interview Leave) Amendment Bill to allow employees with children at school to take paid leave to attend parent-teacher interviews. This Bill was introduced on 11th March and had its First Reading on 14th April, so this is one to be aware of only at the stage. We will further update on this Bill if it progresses.