The Cleaning Services Award 2020 provides specific leave entitlements for cleaning employees in Australia, including annual leave, personal leave, and other forms of paid and unpaid leave.

Key Takeaways

  • Annual leave: 4 weeks (20 days) per year
  • Personal leave: 10 days per year
  • Public holidays: As per NES and state calendars
  • Shift loadings continue during annual leave
  • Part-time and casual employees have specific provisions

Leave Entitlements Under the Award

Annual Leave

  • 4 weeks (20 days) per year for full-time employees
  • Pro-rata for part-time employees
  • Accrues from first year of employment
  • Shift loading continues during leave
  • Cashed out on termination

Personal/Carer’s Leave

  • 10 days per year for full-time employees
  • Accrues from first year
  • Evidence requirements apply
  • Unpaid after exhausted entitlement
  • Carer’s leave included in entitlement

Other Leave Types

  • Compassionate leave: 2 days per occasion
  • Family and domestic violence leave: 10 days per year
  • Community service leave: As required
  • Jury service: As required
  • Long service leave: As per state legislation

Special Cleaning Provisions

Shift Work

  • Shift loadings: Continue during leave
  • Night shift: Enhanced loadings
  • Weekend work: Penalty rates
  • Rostered days off: Treated as leave

Operational Requirements

  • Coverage during absence
  • Handover procedures documented
  • Return to work planning
  • Health and safety standards maintained

Casual Employees

  • Loading: 25% casual loading
  • Annual leave: Not entitled (loading compensates)
  • Personal leave: Not entitled
  • Public holidays: Entitled if would have worked

Common Scenarios

Scenario 1: Full-Time Cleaning Worker

  • Entitlement: 4 weeks annual leave
  • Shift loading: Continues during leave
  • Application: 2 weeks notice recommended
  • Approval: Employer may refuse on reasonable grounds

Scenario 2: Part-Time Cleaning Worker

  • Entitlement: Pro-rata based on hours
  • Calculation: Based on ordinary hours
  • Shift loading: Pro-rata during leave
  • Application: As per full-time process

Scenario 3: Casual Cleaning Worker

  • Entitlement: No annual leave
  • Loading: 25% compensates
  • Public holidays: Entitled if rostered
  • Termination: Loading paid out on termination

Compliance Checklist

  • Award coverage confirmed
  • Leave entitlements documented
  • Shift loading during leave calculated
  • Public holiday provisions applied
  • Part-time calculations correct
  • Casual loading documented
  • Evidence requirements communicated
  • Record keeping maintained
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