Easter public holidays 2011 – employers still confused on trading, pay

Businesses remain confused over when to trade or how much to pay employees over the long weekend, business groups say, as public holidays continue to differ throughout the states and territories despite calls for uniformity.

This year in Victoria, many workers are planning for a five-day break because Friday, Saturday, Monday and Tuesday (April 22, 23, 25 and 26) are public holidays.

Easter Sunday, however, is not a public holiday, after the Baillieu Government overturned laws allowing only businesses with fewer than 20 employees to open on the day.

Tuesday has been declared a public holiday because Anzac Day and Easter Monday fall on the same day. Trading restrictions will apply on Anzac Day, with most shops unable to open prior to 1pm.

The Victorian Employers’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which supported the Baillieu Government’s decision to scrap the Easter Sunday public holiday, has cautioned that some employers are still confused.

VECCI workplace relations manager Alexandra Marriott told SmartCompany businesses are often unclear about when to open and what penalty rates are applicable.

“And then of course there’s confusion about the collision between Anzac Day and Easter Monday, given the trading restrictions for Anzac Day apply on Tuesday but the ceremonial aspects for Anzac Day will proceed on Monday.”

Public holidays are a topic of confusion because they are covered by state and federal laws, the latter Labor’s Fair Work Act 2009. The act allows states to declare their own public holidays.

Marriott says national harmonisation of public holidays has merit when the public holiday is celebrated across the country, rather than statewide, such as Melbourne Cup.

For pay issues, she advises businesses look at the modern award or the enterprise agreement that the employee is covered by, and the relevant trading laws for the state.

Here’s our list for this weekend, state-by-state:

New South Wales

In New South Wales, every day on this year’s Easter weekend – from Good Friday to Anzac Day on Tuesday April 26 – are all public holidays.

However, New South Wales makes a distinction between restricted trading days and unrestricted trading days. Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Anzac Day prior to 1pm are restricted, while Easter Saturday and Easter Monday are unrestricted.

More information is available here.

Australian Capital Territory

In the ACT, Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Easter Monday and the replacement holiday for Anzac Day are all public holidays. Easter Sunday is not a public holiday.
Queensland

Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Easter Monday and the replacement holiday for Anzac Day are all public holidays. Easter Sunday is not a public holiday.

Information about which shops are able to open is available here.

Northern Territory

All days during the Easter weekend expected Easter Sunday are classified as public holidays.

Western Australia

Good Friday, Easter Monday and the Anzac Day holiday on the Tuesday are all public holidays, but Easter Saturday and Sunday are not holidays.

South Australia

Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Easter Monday and the Tuesday holiday are all public holidays. Easter Sunday is not classified as a holiday.

Tasmania

Good Friday, Easter Monday and the Tuesday are public holidays, while Easter Saturday and Sunday are not holidays.

Also in Easter news, IBISWorld has tipped travel spending to increase 4.2% to $195.5 million this break, with Australians tipped to take advantage of discounted airfares and accommodation costs by travelling interstate or overseas.

Unsurprisingly over a holiday period, IBISWorld also expects spending on confectionary, fish and seafood, alcohol, and food and beverages to increase by between 2-4%.

Robert Bryant, IBISWorld General Manager (Australia), says the extra-long weekend, falling in the middle of the school holidays, provides the “perfect opportunity” for families to travel to Queensland, Victoria, the Pacific Islands and Asia – although skyrocketing fuel prices will add to car travel costs.