19/10/2023
Your employer can direct you to use your paid annual leave to cover a temporary shutdown over the Christmas or New Year holiday period if it’s allowed under your award or enterprise agreement.
Many awards have updated rules about taking annual leave during a shutdown, including that the direction needs to be reasonable and a certain amount of notice is given to you. For some awards, at least 28 days’ written notice of a shutdown is required, but the period of notice depends on the award or enterprise agreement that applies to you.
Use the drop-down menu on our website to find info about annual leave during a shutdown under your award: https://www.fairwork.gov.au/leave/annual-leave/directing-an-employee-to-take-annual-leave/direction-to-take-annual-leave-during-a-shut-down