In this episode, Karen Kirton explores the concept of floating public holidays, where employees can swap a gazetted public holiday for a day that holds more personal significance. With Australia’s diverse workforce, many public holidays may not be relevant to all employees. This policy can help create a more inclusive workplace while also addressing practical payroll and operational considerations.

In today’s episode, you will learn:

• Why floating public holidays matter – Australia’s diverse workforce means many employees don’t observe traditional public holidays, such as Australia Day or Easter.
• Key considerations for implementing a floating holiday policy, including which holidays can be swapped, whether a reason is required, and how to track leave.
• Payroll implications and compliance – Public holidays are entitlements under the Fair Work Act, so businesses must ensure accurate leave tracking and pay adjustments.
• How floating public holidays support diversity & inclusion – This policy helps employees feel seen and valued, reinforcing a genuine commitment to workplace inclusion.
• Manager training and process clarity – Leaders must be equipped to approve requests fairly and understand cultural variations in holiday observance.

By implementing a structured, transparent approach, businesses can enhance employee engagement and workplace culture, while ensuring operational efficiency.

Make sure to subscribe to stay updated with new releases every second Monday!

Does your organisation have floating public holidays? We’d love your feedback on this series, just head on over to Amplify HR or connect with Karen on LinkedIn.

Send a text

On Thursday 12 March in Sydney. Join us for a hands-on, in person, interactive workshop is designed to equip business owners and leaders with tpractical tools to build capacity, clarity and control, and a simple 90-day plan you can implement straight away. Register: https://tinyurl.com/AHR26SydEvent