Right to be absent from work on public holidays

Nurses are often unreasonably expected by their employer to work on public holidays. Nurses actually have a legal right to be absent from work on a public holiday, and can refuse an unreasonable request by their employer to work on a public holiday. Often the manner in which an employer requests a nurse to work on a public holiday does not recognise that public holidays are different from other days – management just rosters a nurse to work a public holiday without even informing staff of their right to be absent on that public holiday. This information sheet outlines 114 entitlement to be absent from employment on public holiday and the notice to refuse an unreasonable request to work on a public holiday form.