(1) The University is committed to the health and wellbeing of staff members. In support of this priority, staff members are encouraged to access their accrued recreation leave to promote a healthier workplace. (2) This Policy applies to all ongoing and fixed-term staff. (3) Supervisors and staff are encouraged to adopt a cooperative approach to leave management to ensure that staff have the opportunity to take accrued recreation leave at a mutually convenient time. Applications for recreation leave will therefore not be unreasonably refused, having regard to the operational requirements of the University. Staff must ensure that timely notice is given of the required period of leave, and must apply for recreation leave online for approval in accordance with the Register of Authorities and Delegations (QUT staff access only). (4) Staff are entitled to take their approved leave in unbroken periods, and may take leave in whole or part days. Upon accumulation of 30 days, a Supervisor will meet with the staff member to plan and agree on a suitable time to take recreation leave. A staff member may accrue up to eight weeks (40 days) recreation leave entitlement before the Vice-President (People) and Chief People Officer or authorising officer may direct a staff member to take leave. (5) A staff member with a fixed-term appointment will normally take accrued recreation leave during the term of their appointment unless otherwise approved by the authorising officer. (6) All recreation leave will be exclusive of public holidays. (7) Accrued recreation leave entitlements will not be affected if a staff member moves from one position within the University to another position, provided there is no break in employment. Payment in lieu of accrued recreation leave only applies if a staff member ceases their employment with the University. (8) Recreation leave accrued as at the date of cessation of employment will be paid in the next available pay run following the date of termination of employment (inclusive of leave loading), unless required as payment in lieu of notice on resignation of a staff member. (9) Where the staff member's employment ceases through redundancy or voluntary early retirement, the staff member will be encouraged to take accrued recreation leave before ceasing employment with the University. In such circumstances, where it is agreed between the staff member and their Supervisor that it is not possible for accrued leave to be taken before ceasing employment, the staff member will receive payment in lieu of accrued recreation leave (inclusive of leave loading) in the next available pay period following the date of cessation of employment with the University. (10) If, during the period of recreation leave, the staff member is required to access long service leave, compassionate leave (paid and unpaid), personal leave, additional personal leave, paid parental leave, domestic and family violence leave or community service leave, the staff member may apply to access the relevant leave in lieu of recreation leave for the period specified. Staff may be required to provide appropriate evidence to support the leave request, in accordance with the applicable policy (Domestic and Family Violence Leave Policy; Personal Leave, Additional Personal Leave and Compassionate Leave Policy; Long Service Leave Policy; Parental Leave Policy; Other Types of Leave Policy). (11) Full-time professional staff members will accrue recreation leave of four weeks (20 working days) for each 12 months of continuous service. (12) Part-time professional staff members accrue recreation leave on a proportional basis of the full-time entitlement. (13) Recreation leave periods can be discussed at any time, including as part of the career planning, development and performance expectations discussions. (14) For ongoing and fixed-term professional staff, recreation leave payments will be calculated on the staff member's ordinary salary (excluding weekend/public holiday penalty rates) for the period of recreation leave, plus a 17.5% leave loading for the period. (15) Full-time academic staff will accrue recreation leave of four weeks (20 working days) for each 12 months of continuous service. (16) Part-time academic staff members accrue recreation leave on a proportional basis of the full-time entitlement. (17) Recreation leave periods can be discussed at any time, including as part of career planning, development and performance expectations and annual workload allocation discussions. Academic staff will endeavour to take all recreation leave during the year within which it accrues. The Supervisor must ensure staff are provided the opportunity to take recreation leave of four weeks (20 days) consecutively. (18) Recreation leave loading will be paid in the last pay period in December in each year. Recreation leave loading payments will be calculated as 17.5% of the ordinary salary for the leave accrued during the year. (19) Full-time senior staff will accrue recreation leave of four weeks (20 working days) for each 12 months of continuous service. (20) Part-time senior staff members accrue recreation leave on a proportional basis of the full-time entitlement. (21) Recreation leave periods can be discussed at any time and detailed in the staff member’s annual performance plan. Senior staff will endeavour to take all recreation leave during the year within which it accrues. (22) Recreation leave loading will be paid in the last pay period in December in each year. Recreation leave loading payments will be calculated as 17.5% of the total salary for the leave accrued during the year (Remuneration for Senior Staff Policy). (23) During their employment with QUT, ongoing and fixed-term staff may seek a partial cashing out of accrued recreation leave in exceptional circumstances on the grounds of compassionate or financial hardship. (24) A staff member must submit an application in writing to the authorising Officer, in accordance with Register of Authorities and Delegations (QUT staff access only), that outlines the exceptional circumstance(s) for consideration. Additional information may be requested to assist in making a determination. In assessing an application for payment, the authorising Officer may consult the Vice-President (People) and Chief People Officer as required. (25) An application for the partial cashing out of accrued recreation leave: (26) Where an application for the partial cashing out of recreation leave is approved, payment will be at least the amount that would have been payable had the staff member taken the recreation leave on the date payment is made. (27) The Vice-President (People) and Chief People Officer is authorised to approve variations to this Policy in exceptional circumstances. Any such variation will be recorded by Human Resources. (28) Refer to Register of Authorities and Delegations (VC107, VC108, VC110, VC178) (QUT staff access only).Recreation Leave Policy
Section 1 - Purpose
Section 2 - Application
Section 3 - Roles and Responsibilities
Top of Page
Section 4 - General Leave Conditions
Taking of Recreation Leave
Leave Entitlement for Staff Transferring to Another Position within the University
Leave Entitlement on Cessation of Employment with the University
Other Periods of Leave while on Recreation Leave
Section 5 - Specific Leave Conditions
Professional Staff
Entitlement
Leave Planning
Leave Loading
Academic Staff
Entitlement
Leave Planning
Leave Loading
Senior Staff
Entitlement
Leave Planning
Leave Loading
Section 6 - Option for Partial Cashing of Accrued Recreation Leave
Section 7 - Exceptions to Policy
Section 8 - Delegations
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Position
Responsibility
Staff member
Provides timely notice of the proposed leave and/or partial cashing out of leave.
Informs their supervisor/manager of the proposed leave and/or partial cashing out of leave.
Submits an application for leave and/or partial cashing out of leave.
Supervisor/Manager
Considers a staff member’s request/application for leave and/or partial cashing out of leave.
Provides recommendation to the authorising officer.
Authorising officer
Determines the final outcome of a request/application for leave and/or partial cashing out of leave.