Juggling work and personal commitments has never been tougher. Increased emphasis on increased productivity to meet operational requirements can result in overwork, stress and fatigue.
So its important to get the balance right when it comes to your hours of work and accessing appropriate leave arrangements.
That's where CPSU can help with advice and representation. We know your rights when it comes to your working conditions.
Whether its changes to hours of work or rosters, rules concerning personal leave, accessing public holidays, long service, LWOP or annual leave - our organisers are on hand to make sure CPSU members are treated fairly.
How to strike the right balance
Think ahead: A bit of forward planning can go a long way to avoiding burn-out. Ensuring you have regular time off from work will help you maintain your energy levels and avoid the situation where overwork affects your health and wellbeing. CPSU can provide the right advice when it comes to leave applications - simply contact the Member Service Centre. If you're not a member, find out more about joining today.
Get a second opinion: If you fall sick and need time off work, there are rules relating to employer notification and the provision of medical certificates for accessing personal leave. Sometimes when ill, employees feel under pressure to provide management more information than they are comfortable with. If you're unsure of the rules, contact CPSU for a second opinion.
It's a juggling act - don't drop the ball! Personal committments are important and sometimes these clash with work. While everyone's employed to do a job, most modern employers accept they have a responsibility to help staff balance work and personal commitments. CPSU can assist members with advice and strategies on striking the right balance between work and all the other activities that enrich our lives.
Not a member yet?
It's easy to join - just click on the Join CPSU online button at the top right hand corner of your screen or call 1300 137 636.
Are 24/7 workloads turning women off PS careers? - 12 June 2008 The Community and Public Sector Union has warned that the increasing workload pressure on the Australian Public Service could adversely affect its female members.
Union to lobby Rudd for longer maternity leave- 29 March 2008 The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) plans to ask Prime Minister Kevin Rudd for 26 weeks paid maternity leave for Commonwealth public servants within the next five years, reports the ABC.
We need paid maternity leave say Democrats - 19 September 2007 Prime Minister John Howard would do well to follow the lead of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and adopt his country's paid maternity leave policy, writes Natasha Stott Despoja from the Australian Democrats.
Striking the right balance- 26 July 2007 Balancing work commitments and family life form part of the increasingly difficult juggling act faced by working Australians on a daily basis.
