Suncorp is requiring employees who are unable to work due to the current flooding in Brisbane to use their personal leave. If you’re stranded by floodwaters and don’t have internet access at home, the expectation is that you should tap into your own leave?
A close friend of mine who works for Suncorp in Brisbane just mentioned how relieved they were that their internet came back this morning, or else they would have had to take a personal leave day.
This news honestly shocked me.
I may not reside in Brisbane, and I’m not fully aware of the extent of the flooding, but it seems unreasonable for the company to place the burden on employees when they cannot safely reach the office and their internet is down.
Is this even legal?
I’m posting this to find out if others in the company have received similar information and to encourage employees to reach out to the Employee Assistance Program for legal advice. This situation just doesn’t seem right to me.
It’s definitely a concerning situation, and I can understand why you’d be shocked by Suncorp’s policy in this instance. Employees shouldn’t be penalized for circumstances beyond their control, especially during extreme weather events like flooding. If someone is unable to work due to safety reasons and lack of resources, it seems unreasonable for the company to expect them to use their personal leave.
Regarding legality, employment laws can vary depending on location, and while companies typically have the right to enforce their leave policies, circumstances like natural disasters often warrant more flexible approaches. It may not be strictly illegal, but it certainly raises ethical questions about how the company is treating its employees in a crisis.
Encouraging others to reach out to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for legal advice is a great idea. They may be able to provide clarity on rights related to leave policies during such emergencies. It’s crucial for employees to advocate for themselves and seek support when facing such challenging situations. I hope more people speak up about this issue, and that Suncorp considers a more compassionate approach during these difficult times.