Council staff given festive break
The Town of East Fremantle unanimously adopted an end-of-year closure policy at its July 15 meeting which will allow the town CEO to decide what days over the Christmas-New Year period staff can have off.
Previously the council had to decide each year what dates the town would be closed.
A council report said this was inefficient and created uncertainty for staff who wanted to make holiday plans in advance.
It said the policy would provide certainty and ensure enough services were available to residents.
Staying open during the Christmas-New Year period, except for public holidays, was not recommended.
The report said it was the quietest time of the year and staff would probably still take leave.
'With a relatively small staff, this would present greater leave management challenges to ensure an appropriate level of staffing is maintained,' it said.
Cr Jenny Harrington said it was an 'absolutely sensible' decision.
Telephone calls received during the closure will be diverted to the town's call centre, with a skeleton staff working on non-public holidays and a duty ranger available except on Christmas and Boxing days.
The CEO or an executive manager acting on their behalf will also be on call.
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Council staff given festive break
Christmas holidays have been made official for council staff. The Town of East Fremantle unanimously adopted an end-of-year closure policy at its July 15 meeting which will allow the town CEO to decide what days over the Christmas-New Year period staff can have off. Previously the council had to decide each year what dates the town would be closed. A council report said this was inefficient and created uncertainty for staff who wanted to make holiday plans in advance. It said the policy would provide certainty and ensure enough services were available to residents. Staying open during the Christmas-New Year period, except for public holidays, was not recommended. The report said it was the quietest time of the year and staff would probably still take leave. 'With a relatively small staff, this would present greater leave management challenges to ensure an appropriate level of staffing is maintained,' it said. Cr Jenny Harrington said it was an 'absolutely sensible' decision. Telephone calls received during the closure will be diverted to the town's call centre, with a skeleton staff working on non-public holidays and a duty ranger available except on Christmas and Boxing days. The CEO or an executive manager acting on their behalf will also be on call.
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