Australians encouraged to take their leave

Federal Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson has launched a campaign to encourage Australians to turn their 123 million days of accrued leave into holidays.

Tourism Australia's ‘No Leave No Life’ campaign will remind both employers and employees about the importance of taking annual leave and having a break.

Speaking about the campaign, Minister Ferguson explained “this is about Australians getting behind the thousands of small businesses and the half a million jobs that are supported by our home-grown tourism industry.

“In these difficult times I hope all Australians will stop and think what they can do to kick our economy along and help keep the jobs of their fellow Australians – a great Aussie holiday is a great start.

“This is also a campaign about winning the work/life battle for employees and their families, and managing the accrued leave liabilities of employers.”

Minister Ferguson added that Australians “have 123 million days of leave worth about $33 billion owing to them. Unlocking that $33 billion would boost our economy over the coming year and ease the liability burden of many employers.”

The No Leave No Life campaign will see Tourism Australia work with the business community to inform employers of the impacts of accrued leave. The program provides tools to create a positive workplace culture of leave-taking with training modules, business cases, creative ideas to encourage leave-taking and promotional materials for the workplace such as posters, computer screensavers, and out-of-office and handover templates to motivate and assist employees.

A specific website, www.noleavenolife.com, will give Australian employees advice on maintaining a work/life balance, holiday offer and competitions to win Australian holidays.

Minister Ferguson also explained that “by encouraging staff to use their accrued leave, employers are sensibly managing their liabilities and creating a more productive, happier and healthier workplace.

“I encourage employers to get behind the program and demonstrate to staff their support for a good work/life balance and the taking of accrued leave.

"By using their leave to take a holiday at home, Australians are helping their mates who depend on tourism for their livelihoods and achieving a better balance between their work and personal lives."  

For more information go to www.noleavenolife.com

22nd December 2008 - FERGUSON URGES AUSTRALIANS TO TAKE HOLIDAYS AT HOME

17th December 2008 - TTF EXPECTS DOWNWARD TOURISM TREND TO CONTINUE