This advice is specifically for Hutchies’ direct company members who may be required to stay home either due to having COVID-19 or because they have been deemed a close / household contact. Other businesses, such as subcontractors, may also adopt the document however how they choose to manage their own staff entitlements in accordance with their own industrial instruments is a matter for them to decide.
The guidance document contains information about Pandemic Leave, however please note that this type of leave may not be relevant to all company members as it is only applicable to employees covered by particular Awards. In circumstances where Pandemic Leave does not apply, it would be replaced with Leave Without Pay. Both types of leave are unpaid however when on Pandemic Leave, the employee continues to accrue service / leave entitlements.
As cases continue to escalate throughout Queensland, it is important to remember that anyone you interact with could have COVID-19 and everyone should be extra vigilant with COVID safe measures. You should monitor for symptoms – if any develop, stay home and get tested.
If you are unsure about anything, need to report a positive case / close contact, or have questions about COVID-19, please contact Hutchies' Coronavirus Team.
If you have questions specifically about leave entitlements, please contact Hutchies' Payroll Team.
Version 1 / 11 January 2022
This document provides guidance for people on applicable entitlements or support during isolation / quarantine:
As the number of people testing positive for COVID-19 increases it is expected that there will be people who have recovered from COVID-19 and have now spent more than 4 hours with a positive COVID-19 case within a household.
In relation to these circumstances, the Queensland Health Construction Industry Liaison has confirmed that once a person has been diagnosed as a confirmed case and is cleared by completing their isolation, they do not then become a close contact of another member of the household that subsequently tests positive for COVID-19. This applies for 1 month from their initial test.
In the event someone tests positive or is deemed a close contact and must isolate at home, there may be some instances where it is possible to work from home during this period.
Hutchies' policy is if you are well enough and you can work remotely whilst in isolation, this should be discussed with your Team Leader and may be an option in lieu of using any relevant leave entitlements that may apply.
Please notify us ASAP of all confirmed cases or close contacts that work for Hutchies or have been on one of our sites or in our offices / yards (including Subcontractors / Suppliers / Visitors).
This information is strictly confidential and is only being used for record keeping and to measure the effects of COVID-19.
When teams are advised of a confirmed positive case, Hutchies' sites and offices must report the case.
If the positive case has been on site or in a Hutchies' office / yard whilst potentially infectious (that is 2-3 days before symptoms or a positive test), the team must follow the 'Managing a Positive Case Process' outlined in the latest Industry Update.
Summary for Hutchies' sites
> Managed by Project / Site Management Team or Team Leader
> Report all cases to coronavirus@hutchies.com.au
> If infectious on site, follow Managing a Positive Case Process
> Step 4 must use the Site Notification to notify Workers / Visitors
> Don't alter the notification 'actions' as they align with Health Directions
> Do not identify positive cases in notifications to protect their privacy
Summary for Hutchies' offices / yards
> Managed by Team Leader / Office Champion
> Report all cases to coronavirus@hutchies.com.au
> If infectious in office / yard, follow Managing a Positive Case Process
> Step 4 must use the Office Notification to notify Workers / Visitors
> Don't alter the notification 'actions' as they align with Health Directions
> Do not identify positive cases in notifications to protect their privacy
Case notifications for the Toowong office will be managed by Hutchies' Coronavirus Team centrally.
