SUNSHINE Coast water supplier Unitywater has offered staff the opportunity to swap the January 26 Australia Day holiday for alternative days, saying that the traditional public holiday does not represent an inclusive day for everyone.
Of the 692 eligible staff some 50 had opted for a different holiday, however CEO Anna Jackson told GC&M News she expected that number to increase.
“Our team members have until 20 January to indicate if they wish to swap the public holiday. So far, 50 have opted to take another day in lieu, I would expect that to increase over the coming years,” she said.
The organisation did not say what days staff were opting to take off.
Asked what Unitywater was specifically doing on January 26 to help staff understand and reflect First Nations people, culture and history, Ms Jackson said: “Unitywater is committed to reconciliation and First Nations culture and history is something to be understood, celebrated and acknowledged year-round.”
“We have a range of initiatives, projects and cultural awareness training we run throughout each year for our teams to continue our reconciliation journey.”
Ms Jackson said the organisation was “proud of its progress” towards reconciliation and acknowledged there was more to be done.
“We’re still on our journey to reconciliation and are continuously working to build on our knowledge of First Nations peoples, cultures, history and achievements,” she said.
“There are many things to celebrate about being Australian, however Unitywater recognises that 26 January doesn’t represent an inclusive and unifying day for everyone.
“Giving our people a choice about the 26 January public holiday is another way to demonstrate our commitment to reconciliation and provides a more respectful choice for everyone and for our First Nations team members.”
