{"id":26192,"date":"2026-09-03T14:56:32","date_gmt":"2026-09-03T04:56:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/extranet\/?page_id=26192"},"modified":"2026-09-03T15:07:17","modified_gmt":"2026-09-03T05:07:17","slug":"cultural-leave","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/extranet\/wellbeing\/diversity-equity-and-inclusion\/cultural-leave","title":{"rendered":"Cultural Leave"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-1 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:1352px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-0 fusion_builder_column_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-widget-area awb-widget-area-element fusion-widget-area-1 fusion-content-widget-area qh-side-nav\" style=\"--awb-title-color:#333333;--awb-padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><div id=\"nav_menu-3\" class=\"widget widget_nav_menu\" style=\"border-style: solid;border-color:transparent;border-width:0px;\"><div class=\"menu-lhs-menu-wellbeing-container\"><ul id=\"menu-lhs-menu-wellbeing\" class=\"menu\"><li id=\"menu-item-21956\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-21956\"><a href=\"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/extranet\/wellbeing\">Culture, engagement and wellbeing<\/a>\n<ul class=\"sub-menu\">\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-22523\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-22523\"><a href=\"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/extranet\/wellbeing\/values-in-action\">Values in Action<\/a>\n\t<ul class=\"sub-menu\">\n\t\t<li id=\"menu-item-25290\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-25290\"><a href=\"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/extranet\/wellbeing\/values-in-action\/compassion\">Compassion<\/a>\n\t\t<ul class=\"sub-menu\">\n\t\t\t<li id=\"menu-item-25932\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-25932\"><a href=\"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/extranet\/wellbeing\/values-in-action\/compassion\/care-principles\">Compassionate Care Principles<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\t\t<li id=\"menu-item-25291\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-25291\"><a href=\"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/extranet\/wellbeing\/values-in-action\/high-performance\">High Performance<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<li id=\"menu-item-25292\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-25292\"><a href=\"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/extranet\/wellbeing\/values-in-action\/integrity\">Integrity<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<li id=\"menu-item-25288\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-25288\"><a href=\"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/extranet\/wellbeing\/values-in-action\/respect\">Respect<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<li id=\"menu-item-25289\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-25289\"><a href=\"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/extranet\/wellbeing\/values-in-action\/teamwork\">Teamwork<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<li id=\"menu-item-22524\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-22524\"><a href=\"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/extranet\/wellbeing\/staff-shout-out\">Staff Shout Out<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<li id=\"menu-item-22590\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-22590\"><a href=\"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/extranet\/wellbeing\/values-in-action\/workshops\">Workshops<\/a><\/li>\n\t<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-22710\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-22710\"><a href=\"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/extranet\/wellbeing\/staff\">Staff wellbeing<\/a>\n\t<ul class=\"sub-menu\">\n\t\t<li id=\"menu-item-22222\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-22222\"><a href=\"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/extranet\/wellbeing\/staff\/workplace\">Workplace wellbeing<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<li id=\"menu-item-22221\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-22221\"><a href=\"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/extranet\/wellbeing\/staff\/financial\">Financial wellbeing<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<li id=\"menu-item-22441\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-22441\"><a href=\"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/extranet\/wellbeing\/staff\/social\">Social wellbeing<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<li id=\"menu-item-22224\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-22224\"><a href=\"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/extranet\/wellbeing\/staff\/physical\">Physical wellbeing<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<li id=\"menu-item-22223\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-22223\"><a href=\"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/extranet\/wellbeing\/staff\/mental\">Mental wellbeing<\/a><\/li>\n\t<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-24521\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-24521\"><a href=\"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/extranet\/wellbeing\/diversity-equity-and-inclusion\">Diversity, Equity and Inclusion<\/a>\n\t<ul class=\"sub-menu\">\n\t\t<li id=\"menu-item-23677\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-23677\"><a href=\"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/extranet\/wellbeing\/support-services\/multicultural-health\">Multicultural Health<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<li id=\"menu-item-23613\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-23613\"><a href=\"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/extranet\/wellbeing\/support-services\/spiritual-support-services\">Spiritual Support Services<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<li id=\"menu-item-23400\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-23400\"><a href=\"https:\/\/qheps.health.qld.gov.au\/metronorth\/disability-resources\">Disability resources<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<li id=\"menu-item-24522\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-24522\"><a href=\"https:\/\/qheps.health.qld.gov.au\/metronorth\/hr\/pride\">Pride in Metro North<\/a><\/li>\n\t<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-22597\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-22597\"><a href=\"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/extranet\/wellbeing\/support-services\">Support services<\/a>\n\t<ul class=\"sub-menu\">\n\t\t<li id=\"menu-item-22596\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-22596\"><a href=\"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/extranet\/wellbeing\/support-services\/staff-psychology\">Staff Psychology Service<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<li id=\"menu-item-22595\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-22595\"><a href=\"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/extranet\/wellbeing\/support-services\/ruok\">R U OK?<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<li id=\"menu-item-22594\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-22594\"><a href=\"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/extranet\/wellbeing\/support-services\/peer-responder\">Peer Responder Program<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<li id=\"menu-item-22600\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-22600\"><a href=\"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/extranet\/wellbeing\/support-services\/social-and-emotional\">Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<li id=\"menu-item-22593\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-22593\"><a href=\"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/extranet\/wellbeing\/support-services\/eap\">TELUS Health \u2013 Employee Assistance Program<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<li id=\"menu-item-22591\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-22591\"><a href=\"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/extranet\/wellbeing\/support-services\/post-critical-incident-support\">Post critical incident staff support<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<li id=\"menu-item-24285\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-24285\"><a href=\"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/extranet\/wellbeing\/support-services\/dfv\">Domestic and Family Violence Support<\/a>\n\t\t<ul class=\"sub-menu\">\n\t\t\t<li id=\"menu-item-24292\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-24292\"><a href=\"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/extranet\/wellbeing\/support-services\/dfv\/what-is-dfv\">What is domestic and family violence?<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t\t<li id=\"menu-item-24293\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-24293\"><a href=\"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/extranet\/wellbeing\/support-services\/dfv\/support-colleague\">Support a colleague experiencing domestic and family violence<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t\t<li id=\"menu-item-24291\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-24291\"><a href=\"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/extranet\/wellbeing\/support-services\/dfv\/online-safety\">Staying safe online<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t\t<li id=\"menu-item-24296\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-24296\"><a href=\"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/extranet\/wellbeing\/support-services\/dfv\/support-resources\">Support and resources<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t\t<li id=\"menu-item-24289\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-24289\"><a href=\"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/extranet\/wellbeing\/support-services\/dfv\/training\">Training<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t\t<li id=\"menu-item-24286\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-24286\"><a href=\"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/extranet\/wellbeing\/support-services\/dfv\/policies\">Policies, guidelines and legislation<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\t<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-22622\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-22622\"><a href=\"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/extranet\/wellbeing\/employee-engagement\">Employee engagement<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-21965\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-21965\"><a href=\"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/extranet\/wellbeing\/leadership-in-action\">Leadership in Action<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-21957\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-21957\"><a href=\"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/extranet\/wellbeing\/tools-and-resources\">Tools and resources<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-additional-widget-content\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-1 fusion_builder_column_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-1 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-one\"><h1 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\">Cultural Leave<\/h1><\/div><div class=\"fusion-widget-area awb-widget-area-element fusion-widget-area-2 fusion-content-widget-area\" style=\"--awb-title-color:#333333;--awb-padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><div id=\"custom_html-7\" class=\"widget_text widget widget_custom_html\" style=\"border-style: solid;border-color:transparent;border-width:0px;\"><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\">\t<div class=\"on-this-page\"><h4>On this page<\/h4><ul id=\"onThisPage\"><\/ul><\/div>\n\t<script>\n\tjQuery(function($) {\n\n\t\t$('#onThisPage').empty();\n\n\t\tvar index = 0;\n\n\t\t$('h2').not('#font_resize_panel_heading, .contact-us h2, .rhs-col h2, .landing-tile h2, .modal-body h2, .qh-lh-nav-title h2, .blog-shortcode-post-title, .element-hidden h2, .hidden-element h2, .gsection_title').each(function() {\n\n\t\t\t\/\/ Insert an anchor to jump to, from the TOC link.\n\t\t\tvar anchor = '<a name=\"' + index + '\"><\/a>';\n\t\t\t$(this).before(anchor);\n\n\t\t\tvar li = '<li><a href=\"#' + index + '\">' + $(this).text() + '<\/a><\/li>';\n\n\t\t\t$(li).appendTo('#onThisPage');\n\n\t\t\tindex++;\n\t\t});\n\n\t});\n\t<\/script>\n\t<\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-additional-widget-content\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-1\"><p>Metro North Health recognises and values the cultural diversity of our workforce. In support of this commitment, provisions are in place to ensure staff can observe days of cultural, ceremonial, and religious significance, fostering an inclusive and respectful workplace.<\/p>\n<p>There are two types of cultural leave available to eligible employees:<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:20px;width:100%;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-0 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column qh-content-bg-light\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\" data-scroll-devices=\"small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-2\"><h2>Cultural Leave<\/h2>\n<p>As stated in the Special Leave Policy C7 (QH-POL-231), an employee who is required by their cultural, religious and\/or ethnic background to participate in significant cultural, ceremonial and\/or religious obligations is provided reasonable opportunity to do so by Queensland Health.<\/p>\n<p>This may include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Ceremonies or obligations related to an employee\u2019s cultural, religious, or ethnic background<\/li>\n<li>Events such as tombstone openings, smoking of houses, initiation ceremonies, Coming of the Light, Sorry Day, and other ceremonies recognised by Elders<\/li>\n<li>Religious observances or cultural heritage events specific to an employee\u2019s background<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Employees can access either:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Up to 10 days of unpaid special leave per year (non-cumulative) or<\/li>\n<li>Paid annual recreational leave<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Employees are asked to provide as much notice as possible, with a minimum of one week, and to clearly state the reason and type of leave being requested in their application.<\/p>\n<p>For more information, refer to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/qheps.health.qld.gov.au\/__data\/assets\/pdf_file\/0023\/3167006\/fs-cultural-leave.pdf\">Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workforce Cultural Leave fact sheet<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.health.qld.gov.au\/__data\/assets\/pdf_file\/0034\/395683\/qh-pol-231.pdf\">HR Policy C7 &#8211; Special leave<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:20px;width:100%;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-1 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column qh-content-bg-light-grey\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\" data-scroll-devices=\"small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-3\"><h2>Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workforce Cultural Leave<\/h2>\n<p>Available to employees classified under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workforce stream under the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.qirc.qld.gov.au\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-01\/2026_cb159.pdf\">Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workforce (Queensland Health) Certified Agreement (No. 3) 2025<\/a>, offers up to 10 days of paid cultural leave per year (non-cumulative). It supports participation in cultural obligations and community events aligned with heritage and identity, including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Aboriginal and\/or Torres Strait Islander lore, customs, or traditions<\/li>\n<li>Sorry Business and related purposes<\/li>\n<li>Community cultural events such as Mabo Day, NAIDOC Week, Reconciliation Week, Coming of the Light, and Sorry Day<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This leave will appear in myHR leave balance as Cultural Leave HWF and can be taken in addition to Cultural Leave under HR Policy Special Leave C7.<\/p>\n<p>For more information refer to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.health.qld.gov.au\/__data\/assets\/pdf_file\/0033\/395772\/qh-pol-107.pdf\">HR Policy C11 &#8211; Bereavement and compassionate leave<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.qirc.qld.gov.au\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-01\/2026_cb159.pdf\">Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workforce (Queensland Health) Certified Agreement (No. 3) 2025<\/a> \u2013 page 30 &#8211; 31<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:20px;width:100%;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-4\"><h2>Sad News and Sorry Business Guideline<\/h2>\n<p>Metro North Health acknowledge the cultural obligations related to Sad News and Sorry Business for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees.<\/p>\n<p>The Sad News and Sorry Business (Bereavement and Grief) Leave Guideline 010649 outlines the paid and unpaid leave entitlements available to Metro North Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees experiencing bereavement and grief.<\/p>\n<p>Sad News and Sorry Business practices may require multiple absences from work across the relevant observance period, the leave entitlements outlined above do not have to be taken in one singular block of leave but can be accessed as single hours or days across the observance period.<\/p>\n<p>There is also a Sad News Sorry Business Toolkit which summarises specific resources internal and external support services that may be utilised throughout the Sad News Sorry Business to support and assist Metro North Health Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff members and managers.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/qheps.health.qld.gov.au\/__data\/assets\/pdf_file\/0025\/3463126\/010649.pdf\">Sad News and Sorry Business (Bereavement and Grief) Leave Guideline 010649<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/extranet\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/09\/sad-sorry-business-toolkit.pdf\">Sad News Sorry Business Toolkit<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/extranet\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/09\/sad-sorry-manager.pdf\">Manager factsheet<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/extranet\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/09\/sad-sorry-staff.pdf\">Staff factsheet<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>How to Access Leave<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>You can apply for cultural leave in\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/qheps.health.qld.gov.au\/payroll-assistance\/myhr\">myHR <\/a>by selecting either:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li>\u2018Cultural Leave\u2019 (HR Policy C7 Special leave) under the special leave category.\u00a0\u00a0The leave request must indicate the type of leave being requested (i.e. paid recreation or unpaid special leave); or<\/li>\n<li>\u2018Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health Workforce Cultural Leave\u2019 (Agreement) under the special leave category.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol start=\"2\">\n<li>Your Line Manager and Delegate will review and action the application.<\/li>\n<li>Once approved, the leave is processed accordingly.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>Important: <\/strong>the delegation for approval of cultural leave and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workforce Cultural Leave can be found in the <a href=\"https:\/\/qheps.health.qld.gov.au\/metronorth\/about\/governance\/delegations\">Metro North Health HR Sub-delegations Manual<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Escalation<\/h2>\n<p>It is important for managers to note that staff accessing this leave are experiencing loss and grief. It is expected that managers will be guided by the Metro North Health values and act with compassion, respect and integrity while supporting staff during a difficult time.<\/p>\n<p>Where an employee and manager may not be able to reach a solution on accessing leave for Sad News and Sorry Business, the issue may be escalated through engaging with a support person to help employee discuss needs with manager and come to a reasonable outcome.<\/p>\n<p>Both manager and employee may consider seeking advice from People and Culture and\/or the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership Team to identify options and potential solutions which will meet the needs of both parties.\u00a0This may include discussions relating to taking annual leave at half pay or supporting the employee to consider flexible work options.\u00a0Refer: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.health.qld.gov.au\/__data\/assets\/pdf_file\/0023\/396032\/qh-pol-100.pdf\">HR Policy C51 &#8211; Annual \/ recreation leave (health.qld.gov.au)<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/qheps.health.qld.gov.au\/hr\/policies-agreements-directives\/policy-index\/c-remuneration-leave-benefits\/flexible-work-arrangements\">Policy C5: Flexible working arrangements<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander considerations<\/h2>\n<p>Metro North Health is committed to ensuring our staff have the knowledge and skills to deliver care in culturally capable ways and that our work environments are at all times culturally respectful and supportive of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff as guided by the <a href=\"https:\/\/qheps.health.qld.gov.au\/__data\/assets\/pdf_file\/0019\/510490\/atsiccf.pdf\"><em>Queensland Health Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Capability Framework&nbsp;2010-2033<\/em><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/mn-health-equity-strategy.pdf\">Metro North Health Equity Strategy&nbsp;2025-2028<\/a><u>.<\/u><\/p>\n<p>These guidelines meet a commitment to the Metro North Health Equity Strategy&nbsp;2025-2028 and respects, protects, and promotes the cultural rights of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples as outlined in the <em>Human Rights Act 2019<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>The guidelines address Key Performance Area 4.4C (<em>Our Journey Towards Health Equity: Metro North Health Equity Implementation and Evaluation Plan&nbsp;2022-2025<\/em>) &#8211; Develop processes and systems so that Sad News or Sorry Business is understood and accommodated for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees and educate non-Indigenous people about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff ways of being and doing<em>. <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/qheps.health.qld.gov.au\/metronorth\/a-tsihealth\/events#1\">Events | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health | Metro North Health<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-2 fusion-flex-container 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