NSW NATURAL DISASTER DECLARATION – ‘WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS?’

NSW NATURAL DISASTER DECLARATION

‘WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS?’

As a result of the storms and floods over recent days, the NSW Government has declared a natural disaster in the following Local Government Areas:

• Central Coast
• Cessnock
• Dungog
• Lake Macquarie
• Maitland
• Newcastle
• Port Stephens
• Singleton
• Upper Hunter

This declaration unlocks access to various Government support and services and it also ensures access to various industrial entitlements including paid leave.

STAY SAFE AND KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Natural Disaster Leave

Most Enterprise Agreements negotiated by the SDA provide for natural disaster leave.

Permanent employees may be entitled to up to three days paid leave:

• If you cannot reach your workplace due to flooding, blocked roads or other storm damage
• If you need to stay home to care for other family members or to attend to property damage
• If your workplace is closed as a result of flooding and storm damage.

Casual employees may be entitled to unpaid leave.

Check your Agreement here for more details.

Other Leave

Workers are also entitled to other forms of leave depending on your circumstances.

• Paid and unpaid personal leave for unexpected emergencies.
• Community service leave / emergency service leave (e.g. for SES volunteers)

Check your Agreement here for more details.

Storm damage to workplace and electricity blackouts

The priority must always be your personal safety.

No work should be performed if it poses a risk to your health and safety.

Under NSW health and safety laws your employer has a duty of care to ensure workers and others are not exposed to a risk to their health and safety.

If you are stood down without pay because no useful work can be performed beyond the employer’s control, contact the Union immediately for advice and assistance.

Emergency contacts and information

• For assistance during floods and storms call the NSW SES on 132 500 or Triple Zero (000) for life threatening emergencies.
• Download the Hazards Near Me App for the latest warnings and information.
• Check road and traffic conditions with Live Traffic NSW and for information on public transport, visit Transport NSW
• For school closures, view the NSW Department of Education operational status webpage.
• For free health advice 24/7, call Healthdirect at 1800 022 222. If you need support in another language, contact TIS National at 131 450 and ask for Healthdirect.
• If you or someone you know needs specialist mental health care, please call the Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511. It is a free service operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is staffed by specialist mental health professionals who offer mental health advice, and referrals to local mental health services.