Recently the Fair Work Commission extended Job Keeper flexibilities to 31 December 2021, in certain Modern Awards, issuing determinations extending Schedule X — Additional Measures During the Covid-19 Pandemic. Schedule X allows employees who are required to self-isolate and consequently prevented from working, to take unpaid pandemic leave and also provides flexibility for the employee to take annual leave at half pay for this period.
The operation of Schedule X was extended on the basis that community transmission of COVID-19 has occurred as recently as February 2021 and without the continuation of Schedule X there would be a regulatory gap in the award safety net regarding employees. The Commission determined that continuing access to unpaid pandemic leave will enable more people to remain employed and will encourage those who are required to self isolate to do so, therefore limiting the spread of COVID-19 in workplaces.
Further, the Fair Work Commission issued determinations removing Schedule Y – Industry Specific Measures During the COVID-19 Pandemic from the Aged Care Award 2010, the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 and the Nurses Award 2010, which provided an entitlement to paid pandemic leave for employees employed by residential aged care providers, or required to work in residential aged care facilities. The operation of Schedule Y ceased on 29 March 2021.
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