The Australian Government’s Living Organ Donors Program (the Program) is currently managed by the Department of Health and provides payment to employers to support staff members who intend to donate either a kidney or a partial liver. The program is expected to continue until 30 June 2017.
This policy has been developed to support the provision of living organ donors leave for staff of our company.
Policy Statement
Our company participates in the Program by providing leave to eligible staff members who intend to donate either a kidney or a partial liver. Participation in the Program is aligned with the Mission and values of our company specifically with regard to the commitment to the dignity of the human person and the common good.
Policy Purpose
This policy informs staff members of their entitlements to Living Organ Donor Leave and its application at our company.
Application of Policy
This policy applies to all continuing, fixed term and casual staff of our company. It covers leave for medical appointments prior to the organ donation surgery, the surgery itself and the recuperation period for up to nine weeks.
Eligibility
Staff members are eligible for paid living organ donor leave if they have been employed on a full-time or part-time basis for 28 continuous days prior (56 days prior for casual staff members) to either signing the Individual Registration form or the date of the surgery (which ever was first) with the Department of Health.
Entitlement
Staff members who are living organ donors are entitled up to nine weeks paid leave at the staff member’s ordinary salary rate or fraction paid fortnightly. Ordinary salary for a casual staff member will be calculated by averaging their weekly hours worked over 8 weeks, or 56 days, prior to signing the Individual Registration Form or surgery date (whichever was first).
The leave will be provided as extraordinary leave and will not impact on the staff member’s personal leave entitlements.
The payment under the Living Organ Donors program will be made by the Department of Health to the our company.
Responsibilities
Staff Member
The staff member is responsible for:
Discussing their intention to become a living organ donor at the earliest opportunity with their nominated supervisor to allow effective planning to take place,
Submitting the “Supporting leave for Living Organ Donors Individual Registration” form to Human Resources Advisory Service (HRAS) for completion of Part B (Employer details) within required timeline,
Sending the completed “Supporting leave for Living Organ Donors Individual Registration” form to the Department of Health, and lodging the Individual Claim form on their return to work after the organ donation procedure is completed,
Completing the required leave application form and submitting it to the nominated supervisor for approval within appropriate timelines.
Supervisor
The Supervisor is responsible for:
Participating in the initial discussion with the staff member regarding their intent to become a living organ donor and offering support to the staff member throughout the process, including follow up after their return to work,
Verification of the staff member’s eligibility as detailed in Section 5 of this policy and approval of the staff member’s leave requests that are covered by this policy, and
Ensuring that the staff member has completed and sent required forms to the Department of Health within appropriate timelines.
Approvals
An application for Living Organ Donor Leave is submitted for approval by the appropriate delegated officer. Information on delegated officers for leave approvals is available in the relevant Company Delegations.
Policy Review
Our company may make changes to this policy and procedures from time to time to improve the effectiveness of its operation. In this regard, any staff member who wishes to make any comments about this Policy may forward their suggestions to the Human Resources Advisory Service.
Further Assistance
Any staff member who requires assistance in understanding this policy should first consult their nominated supervisor who is responsible for the implementation and operation of leave arrangements in their work area. Should further advice be required staff should contact the Human Resources Advisory Service, HR@acu.edu.au or extension 4222.