Hello members,

DHHS Workforce COVID-19 Update

Today the Department of Health and Human Services has released a further update to their guidelines for workers.

Updates relate to ‘higher-risk’ healthcare workers for whom employers should be flexible when granting leave to or agreeing to alternative or flexible working arrangements. These include any workers who are:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 50 years and older with one or more chronic medical conditions;
• People 65 years and older with chronic medical conditions;
• People 70 years and older;
• People with compromised immune systems.

If you are a higher-risk worker, you may be asked to provide a statutory declaration about your chronic medical condition.

Further updates have also been made for pregnant workers, noting that whilst currently pregnant women do not appear to be at higher risk of more severe symptoms than the general population, they can be badly affected by some respiratory infections, including the flu.

Pregnant women should be considered by employers a potentially vulnerable group and it is being recommended that employers should assess the risks for pregnant health care workers and consider alternative duties and patient allocation from 28 weeks’ gestation.

Mental Health EBA Update

A number of members have reached out to us recently to ask about the status of the Public Mental Health EBA, in light of the impacts of COVID-19.

We have emailed members advising of the most current update relating to your EBA so please check your inbox for details.

HACSU remains committed to bargaining for your EBA and we’ll provide further updates when we have more information available.

We are also following up with all local councils tomorrow, and heading into next week, regarding free car parking around health services. We will keep you updated with what each council has to say.

Solidarity with fallen Victorian Police Members

“The members and officials of the Health and Community Services Union wish to express our deepest sympathies to the families of the police officers who tragically lost their lives in last night’s incident. We also want to extend our thoughts to our comrades at The Police Association Victoria.

We know you are grieving the loss of these brave officers and though we can’t understand the depth of your loss, we share your grief. Please know that HACSU members are here for you when you need us; we stand with you always.” – Paul Healey, HACSU State Secretary.

Check Out MyPage Today

We also wanted to remind members that from next week, you’ll find this daily update only on the HACSU Member MyPage. Make sure you’re able to log in to access news and more great benefits. https://mypage.hacsu.asn.au/

In unity, 

HACSU.