Leave arrangement provisions
In enhancing work/life balance initiatives, the University of Southern Queensland Certified Agreement 2005-2008 and the Human Resources Policy Manual also contain an array of leave arrangement provisions. These include:
Parental leave
Any employee, other than a casual employee, who has worked for the University on a continuous basis for 12 months or more, can apply for parental leave to care for their newborn or newly adopted child for maximum of 52 weeks. Female employees are entitled to 14 weeks maternity leave paid at the normal salary and male employees are entitled to two weeks partner leave at normal salary. In addition, eligible employees may also access a further six weeks of paid primary care-giver's and an additional six weeks leave which may be banked and taken up to the child's second birthday. Eligible employees will now have access to a total of 26 weeks paid leave.
An employee who assumes the principal role of providing care for an adopted child under the age of five is entitled to a period of 52 weeks leave, of which up to 14 weeks of unbroken leave will be taken at normal salary. These employees may also access primary care-giver's and the additional six weeks leave.
Contact with the employee on parental leave is maintained weekly through providing information on career opportunities, organisational change, major issues etc to assist the person to re-enter the workforce.
An employee on approved parental leave may take recreation leave or long service leave in lieu of unpaid elements of parental leave. An employee returning to work after parental leave is entitled to be placed in the position held prior to the leave commencing and at the same classification and salary level. The employee may return on either a full-time or fractional basis, subject to the operational needs of the workplace and the mutual agreement between the employee and cost centre manager. This option is available for a period of two years from the return to work date.
Sick leave
An employee, other than a casual employee, is entitled to pro rata sick leave at the rate of 10 working days on ordinary rates for each year of service. Sick leave is cumulative and paid in advance during the first year of service.
Carer's leave
Carer's leave may be taken to care for a dependant family member who is unwell through the use of sick leave entitlements. Recreation leave, unpaid leave, time off in lieu or ‘make-up time' may also be taken for the purpose of providing care to a family member with the consent of the University.
Bereavement leave
Employees are entitled to paid leave of absence for up to three days per bereavement upon the death of a close relative. USQ has a very broad definition of ‘close relative'. In addition, where an employee requires additional bereavement leave to fulfil cultural requirements or to travel overseas, paid special leave may be granted.
Leave without pay
Leave without pay may be granted to a maximum of two years in order to meet an employee's particular need, subject to the convenience of the University.
Academic development and outside studies program
The Academic Development and Outside Studies Program (ADOSP) provides a period of paid leave for sustained research, scholarly activity or professional experience. As an additional benefit it may also help academic employees establish or renew links with colleagues in appropriate fields outside the University for the purpose of enhancing their own research and/or teaching within the University. ADOSP aims to maintain and improve professional and vocational knowledge and skills. All continuing and fixed term academic employees are eligible to apply for an initial period of ADOSP subject to having served a minimum qualifying period of three years.
Professional development leave
The University may grant Professional Development Leave (PDL) to general employees in order to stimulate and increase employee effectiveness through professional development activities undertaken outside the University. Continuing and fixed term general employees are eligible to apply for an initial period of PDL subject to having served a minimum qualifying period of three years.
Study assistance
All employees appointed on a continuing basis or to a fixed-term contract for more than 12 months may apply to receive study assistance from the University when undertaking an approved course of study. Time release may be granted to all employees to the equivalent of a maximum of two hours per course per week for each semester of study, and financial assistance equivalent to the full cost of course fees to employees at Academic Level A and General Staff Level 10 and below, payable on proof of successful completion of the unit of study.