Personal leave note on keyboard

The National Retail Association (NRA) has welcomed today’s High Court decision regarding personal leave entitlements, proclaiming it a victory for common sense.

The High Court overturned the decision of the Full Court of the Federal Court in Mondelez v AMWU last year that both full-time and part-time employees received 10 days of personal leave each year.

NRA CEO Dominique Lamb said that today’s ruling ensured that longstanding industry practice was maintained and it would assist retailers as they battle Australia’s first recession in 30 years.

“Today’s High Court ruling regarding personal leave entitlements is a major victory for common sense,” Ms Lamb said.

“Last year’s decision by the Federal Court that both full-time and part-time employees receive 10 days of personal leave each year would have reversed long held industry practice and seen retailers foot the bill at a time when they’re struggling to survive.

“Under the Federal Court’s ruling, the amount of personal leave owing to an employee become something wholly unpredictable, as the employer would not know how much personal leave the employee had until they actually took it.

“This not only offered up a payroll nightmare, but also problems for complying with ASIC reporting requirements.

“Thankfully the High Court overturned this decision, confirming that struggling businesses may continue to administer personal leave the same way they have done for the last ten years.”