PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
For the vast majority of SDA members work on public holidays is voluntary. You can choose to take time off or choose to work and receive a penalty rate of between 200% and 250%. Below is a full list of your upcoming public holidays.
BOXING DAY PUBLIC HOLIDAY
This year the official Boxing Day public holiday will be observed on Monday 28 December instead of Saturday 26 December. This means that workers have a choice to work or not and if you choose to work on Monday 28 December you should receive the appropriate penalty rate. Some agreements contain special provisions when Boxing Day is moved so it’s important to check the information for your workplace to see what rights you have on the 26th and 28th of December this year.
PART DAY PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
Thanks to a campaign spearheaded by the SDA, the majority of South Australian workers can now enjoy two part day Public Holidays between 7pm and Midnight on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve from Christmas 2012 onwards. As a result, SDA members can now choose not to work late on these festive occasions and spend time with family and friends OR choose to work after 7pm and enjoy substantial penalty rates.
CHRISTMAS TRADING HOURS
The SA State Government has announced, like in previous years, additional shop trading hours in the lead up to Christmas. City and suburban shops will be allowed to open at 9am each Sunday from 29 November to Sunday 27 December. These shops may also choose to trade until 12midnight (instead of 9pm) on Thursday 17 December, Friday 18 December and Wednesday 23 December.
For information about your specific public holiday entitlements, log into the Members’ Area here.
YOUR UPCOMING PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
Christmas Eve: Thursday 24 December
Christmas Day: Friday 25 December
Substituted Boxing Day: Monday 28 December
New Year’s Eve: from 7pm Thursday 31 December
New Year’s Day: Friday 1 January
QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions about your rights on public holidays or how the additional trading hours may affect you, please call the SDA Member Support Hotline on 8139 1000.
Work in the Territory or Broken Hill? Call the SDA on 8139 1000 for specific advice.