Easter Break Penalty Rates – Don’t Get Caught Out!

Easter long weekend is just around the corner. Businesses need to be aware that with the public holidays coming up there are certain penalty rates that may apply.

The actual public holidays for the Easter Weekend are as follows:

2 April 2021 — Good Friday
3 April 2021 – Easter Saturday
5 April 2021 – Easter Monday.

In South Australia, Easter Sunday is a normal Sunday for the purposes of payment and public holiday penalty rates do not apply.

Businesses are advised to check whether or not they are able to trade on the Easter Weekend and what the applicable operating hours are.

Some points to consider:

• If an employee is on Annual Leave over the Easter Break, the public holidays are not to be deducted from the employee’s annual leave balance.
• However, if an employee is on Long Service Leave either side of the Easter Weekend, the public holidays will be included in the total period of Long Service Leave taken.
• Where an employee’s RDO falls on a public holiday it should be taken on another day however employers need to check their relevant Modern Award as some Awards have alternatives such as an extra days pay or an extra day of leave.

Public holidays as a general rule are ​“without deduction of pay” therefore if a full time or part time employee is not required to work then they would need to be paid their ordinary hours at their ordinary rates (not penalty rates) for the day.

Employers should check their Personal Leave policy for evidence requirements if an employee is absent before during or after the Easter Weekend.

Need help determining what rates apply this Easter? contact our Business Advice Hotline on (08) 8300 0000 (select option one).

Not a the South Australian Business Chamber member? Access our FREE Industrial Relations Phone Advice Line and COVID-19 Resources:

We recognise that more support is needed by businesses across Australia as a result of COVID-19 pandemic. In partnership with the Fair Work Ombudsman, the South Australian Business Chamber is here to provide industrial relations advice to businesses covered by Commonwealth Workplace Laws. You don’t need to be a the South Australian Business Chamber Member: all you need to do is contact one of our Workplace Advisers on (08) 8300 0000 (select option 2).

If you are not a the South Australian Business Chamber member now is the right time to join. Find out more about The South Australian Business Chamber Membership and the great benefits by calling (08) 8300 0000.

No problem is too big or too small and our Senior Consultants are also on standby to provide you with workplace advice. Call today on (08) 8300 0000 and speak with one of our highly experienced Senior consultants.