Warrnambool City Council staff were given an extra day of leave between its Christmas and New Year shutdown in lieu of its end-of-year staff party.
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In 2019, about 230 council staff attended its end-of-year dinner which cost $12,769 but this year's function was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Following the cancellation of council's end-of-year staff dinner the council directors and CEO made a decision to offer staff a day of leave, with that day to be taken, where possible, during council's compulsory Christmas shut-down period," the council said in a statement.
"We're proud of our staff and believe it is reasonable to provide an opportunity for all staff from across our diverse organisation to meet once a year in a less formal setting."
The council said Christmas parties were a tradition of workplaces in both the private and public sector, and gave staff the chance to socialise, celebrate achievements and allow the directors and CEO an opportunity to say thank you for the work done throughout the year.
"Over the course of 2020 other public entities provided "care packs" to thank and acknowledge the efforts of staff during what was a particularly challenging year," the council said.
The pandemic hit the council hard with a number of staff being stood down at the height of the lockdowns as council-run venues were forced to close.
Council employees were not eligible for JobKeeper payments.
Mayor Vicki Jellie said that while the staff Christmas party did not go ahead this year due to COVID, neither did the traditional annual mayoral Christmas drinks for committees, volunteers and corporate guests.
Cr Jellie said instead of having a staff party, council workers were given a reduction in the time that comes off their annual leave during the council's annual Christmas/New Year shutdown.
"I think that's a good outcome, a few places have done that," she said.
Cr Jellie said other organisations across the city had opted to give staff a voucher of their choice to spend at a local business in lieu of staff Christmas parties.
"I think there's a variety. Other places are giving the day off," she said.
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