Working on a public holiday is a requirement for some employees. If you have staff working on a public holiday do check that you are paying them correctly. The expectation is that employees are paid for the time actually worked (at least) the greater of:
- the employee’s relevant daily pay, or average daily pay (if applicable) for the time actually worked on the day (not including any penal rates in the employment agreement that relate to that day) plus half that amount again (time and a half), or
- the employee’s relevant daily pay (or average daily pay) that relates to the time actually worked on the day (including any penal rates in the employment agreement). The employee isn’t entitled to time and a half on top of the penal rate.
Where the actual time worked is less than ordinary hours for that day you would normally still pay the balance of ordinary hours.
This year the Christmas/New Year holidays will be observed on the day they fall for all employees. These days are;
| Public Holidays | Observed Date |
| Christmas Day | Monday, 25 December 2017 |
| Boxing Day | Tuesday, 26 December 2017 |
| New Year's Day | Monday, 1 January 2018 |
| Day After New Year's Day | Tuesday, 2 January 2018 |
If you would like more information about payment for public holidays please email Grow HR or contact us on 06 878 5454.