Central Coast goes hard to establish best practice in health and wellbeing leave

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Published: Thursday, 25 August 2022 14:40

reading a book

The ability to take two days of sick leave each year as health and wellbeing leave was introduced as one of our claims in the State Award in 2017. At the time, we hoped it would be flexible in its application but most councils, if they did it at all, couldn’t get beyond the concept of attending medical appointments, for skin checks, or things like that. Traditional cautious local government thinking, trying to avoid establishing precedents.

A couple of councils, The Hills and Liverpool were able to be less rigid-minded and found great success when it was embraced by employees. Ideally this kind of leave should be an opportunity for people to take a break from work when they need it, and do something that reduces stress and makes them feel better.

We will be reviewing this in the Award negotiations later in the year but Central Coast has gone hard on establishing a limitless approach encouraging people to do things that make them feel well.

How about this as it was communicated to staff:

In light of that discussion, we want to encourage staff to use their Wellbeing Leave for not only volunteering at local charities and services but whatever it is that makes you feel well!

  • Want to volunteer at your kid's sports carnival and feel like an amazing parent?  Wellbeing leave.
  • Want to spend the day hiking and exploring the hidden gems across the Central Coast? Wellbeing leave.
  • Want to read a book, shut out the world and expand your mind? Wellbeing leave.
  • Want to spend the day mastering a new creative task? Wellbeing leave.
  • Want to give back to your community? Wellbeing leave.
  • Want to attend that drumming circle you’ve been desperate to try? Wellbeing leave.
  • Want to simply prioritise your rest with activities that relax you? Wellbeing leave.

At last, after years of wanting to introduce something open-ended and sympathetic to individual needs, they’ve now done it. And great to see them embracing concept of reading a book, shutting the world out. What, a great way of unwinding. (Declaration of personal interest)

Please send us any examples of other good practices to use those two days a year.