ANZAC Day 2015 - Public Holiday Arrangements

This announcement is for: 
Employee / workerEmployerConsumer

Check your obligations for public holidays now!

This year ANZAC Day, 25 April, falls on a Saturday, which means that employers and employees need to check what public holiday arrangements apply under the relevant WA award, particularly if the business trades on weekends and public holidays.

Under the Public and Bank Holidays Act if ANZAC Day falls on a Saturday the next following Monday is also a public holiday.  However, some WA awards require that the public holiday rates of pay only apply on the Monday as a ‘substitute’ public holiday.  Other WA awards provide for public holiday rates only on the Saturday.

An overview of public holiday arrangements for award free employees and for the Shop and Warehouse, Restaurant Tearoom and Catering Workers and Hairdressers WA Awards is below.

For all WA award employers and employees it is essential check your relevant WA award – view Wageline’s WA award summaries on the Labour Relations website, or contact Wageline for more information.

Employers and employees covered by a federal modern award should visit www.fairwork.gov.au for public holiday arrangements and pay rates.

Award free employees

The minimum entitlement for award free state system employees is for full time and part time employees who would normally work Saturday 25 April but do not because the business is closed to receive a paid day off work.

Award free employees may have contracts of employment which establish arrangements for payment and paid time off for public holidays.

Shop and warehouse award

Under the Shop and Warehouse WA Award, when ANZAC Day falls on a Saturday the public holiday is observed on the next Monday.  This means that Monday 27 April is considered the public holiday for this award.

If the business is not trading on Monday, part time and full time employees who would normally be required to work are entitled to a paid day off work.

If the business is trading on Monday, public holiday pay rates will apply.

If the business is trading on Saturday, standard Saturday pay rates under the WA award will apply.

Please note there are restrictions on trading for some shops on ANZAC Day, please visit Consumer Protection for more information.

Restaurant tearoom and catering workers award

Under the Restaurant Tearoom and Catering Workers WA Award, when ANZAC Day falls on a Saturday the public holiday is observed on the actual day.  This means that Saturday 25 April is the public holiday for the purposes of payment for employees covered by this award.

If the business is not trading on Saturday, part time and full time employees who would normally be required to work are entitled to a paid day off work.

If the business is trading on Saturday, public holiday pay rates will apply.

Hairdressers award

Under the Hairdressers WA Award, when ANZAC Day falls on a Saturday the public holiday is observed on the next Monday.  This means that Monday 27 April is the public holiday for the purposes of payment for employees covered by this award.

If the business is not trading on Monday, part time and full time employees who would normally be required to work are entitled to a paid day off work.

If the business is trading on Monday, public holiday pay rates will apply.

If the business is trading on Saturday, standard Saturday pay rates under the WA award will apply.

ANZAC Day long weekend retail trading hours

Consumer Protection advises shoppers and shop owners of the retail trading hours for the ANZAC Day long weekend.

All general retail shops in the Perth metropolitan area will be closed on ANZAC Day this Saturday. The only stores allowed to open on this day are those that have applied for and been issued with Small or Special Retail Shop Certificates.

Special retail shops are those that provide items considered necessary for emergency, convenience or recreational goods and include, among others: pharmacies; garden nurseries; hardware and home improvement shops; newsagencies and bookshops; video shops; art and craft shops; souvenir and duty free shops; shops at sports venues; boating shops; motor vehicle spare parts shops; and shops at international standard hotels.

Restaurants, cafés and take away food shops are free to trade at any time, including on ANZAC Day.

In the metropolitan area, Sunday trading for general retail shops will be 11am to 5pm as normal and trading on the public holiday Monday has been extended from 8am to 6pm.

For regional areas, trading hours may vary so businesses and consumers are advised to contact their local councils.

For further information regarding retail trading hours contact Consumer Protection on (08) 6251 1406 or visit www.commerce.wa.gov.au/tradinghours.

 

Consumer Protection / Labour Relations
Alert
09 Mar 2015

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