Paid leave of absence

Reports by GYNNIE KERO and REBECCA KUKU
PUBLIC servants are allowed to work from home from today, in a paid leave of absence arrangement which they have been warned is not a public holiday.

Department of Personnel Management Secretary Taies Sansan said it was to prevent “physical contacts” among public servants in their offices.
“We are taking measures to assist in preventing public servants from physical contact with colleagues and the general public,” she said in a circular.
They will be further advised on April 8 on “future work arrangements”.
“The leave of absence from the workplace is not a public holiday. It is only an arrangement for public servants to isolate themselves and avoid physical contact with other colleagues and the general public for the 14-day lockdown period,” she said.
“Let me remind all public servants that this is not a public holiday but a measure to assist us during this time and follow basic health and hygiene instructions issued by the Health Department.”
Those listed as essential service agencies include health, immigration and border security, customs and internal revenue commission, police, defence force, correctional services, government payroll staff, national intelligence office and central agency staff involve in operations.
Meanwhile, State of Emergency Controller and Police Commissioner David Manning said employees in the private sector would have to rely on the “generosity” of their employers as regards their pay, “whether they will be paid the full salary, half a salary or nothing at all” while at home during the 14 days.
“We are calling on the private sector to be responsible for their employees,” he said.
Police Minister Bryan Kramer said it would be a good time to use up their annual leave, nine days sick leave and long service leave.
“We would encourage or expect companies to put them on leave and deduct it from their annual leave and pay them their leave entitlements.”