We just want to clarify that no matter what kind of staff member you are, you’ll get paid the $0.48/hour allowance for each hour (or part of an hour) you spend handling linen with vomit, urine, faeces or blood on it.
To be clear, any employee (ECA, laundry, anyone else) who handles this kind of contaminated linen and that linen isn’t already in an airtight container or bag is entitled to an allowance of $0.48 per hour (or part of an hour), with a minimum payment of $2.38 per week. There does not need to be a gastro outbreak or specified medical condition for this allowance to be paid.
As a reminder, Meercroft workers should make a record of all the times you handle this kind of linen from now on to make sure you get paid the allowance properly.
Another hot topic of discussion seems to be a bulletin about new EA clauses for Personal and Carers Leave where a stat dec can only be provided instead of a doctor’s certificate in exceptional circumstances.
We’re not aware of anyone having been impacted negatively or of any change in everyday practice around dealing with stat decs as a result of this at this stage. That said, if you are concerned please give us a call to discuss it.