Suncorp has mandated that employees unable to work due to the current flooding in Brisbane must utilize their personal leave. If you’re stranded from the Brisbane office by floodwaters and lack internet access at home, Suncorp expects you to take personal leave?
A close friend of mine who works at Suncorp in Brisbane just shared that they were relieved their internet returned this morning; otherwise, they would have been forced to take a personal leave day.
I found this quite shocking.
I don’t reside in Brisbane, so I’m not fully aware of the situation there, but when an employee can’t safely reach the office because of flooding and their internet is down, it seems unreasonable for the company to shift the burden onto the employee.
Is this even legal?
I’m posting this to find out if others at the company have received similar communications and to encourage employees to reach out to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for legal advice because this situation just doesn’t feel right to me.
It’s definitely concerning to hear about Suncorp’s approach during such a challenging time for employees in Brisbane. Expecting staff to use personal leave when they’re unable to safely access work due to natural disasters seems unfair and doesn’t take into account the extraordinary circumstances many people are facing.
While I’m not a legal expert, there are protections in place in many regions that prevent companies from penalizing employees for circumstances beyond their control, such as natural disasters. It might be worth looking into local labor laws or reaching out to an employment lawyer for clarity on this issue.
Encouraging colleagues to connect with the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a good idea. They may provide the necessary support and guidance for those impacted. It’s important for employees to understand their rights and options during difficult situations like these. It’s crucial for companies to be compassionate and supportive during emergencies, showing that they value their employees’ well-being. Hopefully, Suncorp will reconsider their stance and come up with a more empathetic solution for affected staff.