Christmas Close Down Dates

Christmas and New Year 2023/2024

The University and College will close over the Christmas / New Year period, with the final day of operation for 2023 being Tuesday 19 December 2023.

The University will be closed from Wednesday 20 December 2023 and will re-open on Wednesday 3 January 2024.  Over this period there are:

  • 3 Public Holidays
  • 3 Western University Concessional Leave Days
  • 4 Mandatory Leave days - Staff must submit a leave request to cover these days

Important dates

  • 17 November 2023 - All Staff must enter leave bookings in Staff OnLine to cover mandatory leave days
  • 24 November 2023 - Leave to be approved by Supervisor in Staff OnLine

FAQ's

Mandatory leave days 2023/2024

All staff, including senior staff, must book annual leave, long service leave or flex leave (where available) for the four mandatory leave days the 20, 21, and 22 December 2023 and 2 January 2024

All Staff must enter these Leave bookings in Staff OnLine before 17 November 2023 to ensure they are approved by your manager before 24 November 2023.

What if I don’t have enough leave?

You may enter a leave request for leave without pay for all or part of the leave period.  Leave without pay will only be approved where you have no other paid leave available.

Alternatively, if you don’t have sufficient annual leave, long service leave or flex leave available, you may apply for leave in advance. Please note the following conditions will apply:

  • Only annual leave will be approved in advance and for a maximum of 4 days only for the mandatory leave dates
  • Your leave will go into a negative balance, and you will not be eligible to take paid leave until a positive balance is reached
  • If you leave the university for any reason prior to accruing sufficient leave to cover the advanced leave, the balance will be deducted from your final pay

How do I apply for leave in advance?

You must first discuss this with your supervisor. You will also need to seek the approval of your Category 6 Line manager within your Division or School. This request must be approved by your Category 6 Line manager by email, and forwarded to the Senior HR Partner working with your Division or School for final approval by the CPO or approved delegate.

Working on mandatory leave days

Some employees who perform essential work may be required to work.  If you are performing essential work on the mandatory leave days, you must set out the dates you will be working and the reasons why you are working. This must be endorsed by your supervisor and approved by your Dean or Executive Director.  Very few employees will be deemed to be required to perform essential work during mandatory leave days.

Your Dean or Executive Director will provide a list of approved employees to their relevant HR Partnership Team (PDF, 43.04 KB) (opens in a new window) by 28 November 2023.

Working on a Concessional Day

Some employees who perform essential work may be required to work.  If you are required to work during Concessional days, you must set out the dates you will be working and the reasons you are working.  This must be endorsed by your supervisor and approved by your Dean or Executive Director.  Very few employees will be deemed to be required to perform essential work during Concessional Days.

Employees who are directed to work on a Concessional Day(s) will be entitled to take the day(s) at other times approved by their supervisor.

Your Dean or Executive Director will provide a list of approved employees to their relevant HR Partnership Team (PDF, 43.04 KB) (opens in a new window) by 28 November 2023.

Christmas and New Year 2024/2025

Christmas Closedown 2024-25

Christmas and New Year 2025/2026