In 2020 the Office of the Commisioner for Public Sector Employment (OCPSE) swiftly put together a new determination and leave entitlement for all public sector employees who are/have been affected in their employment by Covid-19, i.e. Determination 3.1 -Supplementary Conditions for COVID-19. OCPSE have advised that this leave only applies to certain scenarios (which are not explicitly written into the policy) and that as a member of the healthcare community, we are not part of the general community. This statement is false. The real issue is that this leave is not being offered to the unvaccinated. The description regarding community is an attempt to exclude unvaccinated people from their right to continue to be paid while lawfully being asked to not come into work. Please sign to continue to give all people an untainted choice over their health, and not causing people to choose between their health and income. 

If indeed there is no leave entitlement to unvaccinated people being required to remain at home (away from the workplace), then i request the union Public Sector Association (PSA), to challenge OCPSE as a matter of urgency, to make an ammendment to the current determination 3.1 covid-19 leave. This ammendment must include leave entitlements specifically for the unvaccinated, to continue to receive their normal income until they can return to work lawfully. This is the only fair way to give a staff member  genuine choice over their health and body, which will not be tampered with the threat of losing income or career. The union will need to meet with those who have been asked to remain at home while unvaccinated to hear their concerns and clauses for this leave.

The lack of leave available affects thousands of people throughout the state of South Australia, and even Australia where no leave entitlements are in place. Individuals and families who are facing loss of income, are also facing incredible mental health stressess, family breakdown, homelessness, poverty, starvation, shame, embarrassment, judgement, and lack of freedom.

Sign to show the PSA union and the public sector that you make a stand for your own rights as a worker in the future. You may not agree that you need booster vaccines, you may disagree with effectiveness or have started to have concerns over patterns in increasing vaccine side effects. You may have no qualms at all, but you stand for your fellow workmates right to choice. You care and stand for your family and friends who have lost their right to work, and income while they remain unvaccinated. If not us, then who?