Work and family

So its important to get the balance right when it comes to your hours of work and accessing appropriate leave arrangements. That's where CPSU can help with advice and representation. We know your rights when it comes to your working conditions.

Whether its changes to hours of work or rosters, rules concerning personal leave, accessing public holidays, long service, LWOP or annual leave - our organisers are on hand to make sure CPSU members are treated fairly.

How to strike the right balance

1. Think ahead: A bit of forward planning can go a long way to avoiding burn-out. Ensuring you have regular time off from work will help you maintain your energy levels and avoid the situation where overwork affects your health and wellbeing. CPSU can provide the right advice when it comes to leave applications - simply contact the Member Service Centre. If you're not a member, find out more about joining today.
   
   
2. Get a second opinion: If you fall sick and need time off work, there are rules relating to employer notification and the provision of medical certificates for accessing personal leave. Sometimes when ill, employees feel under pressure to provide management more information than they are comfortable with. If you're unsure of the rules, contact CPSU for a second opinion.
   
   
3. It's a juggling act - don't drop the ball! Personal commitments are important and sometimes these clash with work. While everyone's employed to do a job, most modern employers accept they have a responsibility to help staff balance work and personal commitments. CPSU can assist members with advice and strategies on striking the right balance between work and all the other activities that enrich our lives.

Paid maternity leave

In March 2008 CPSU Governing Council has endorsed a plan to campaign to increase public service maternity leave entitlements to 26 weeks over the next five years.

The CPSU believes there is a clear and pressing need to modernise paid maternity leave arrangements to support new parents in Australia and in the federal public sector.

While there have been massive changes in society and work over the last 35 years, paid maternity leave entitlements in the public sector have remained virtually unchanged.

Put simply, 12 weeks paid support is just not enough. It is now time to take a stand for what is really needed to support new parents. We are calling on the Rudd Government to act as a model employer and set the standard for the Australian community.