Working on a public holiday: requests & refusals
An employer may request you to work on a public holiday, but the request must be reasonable. You may refuse if the refusal is reasonable. Factors to consider include:
- Nature of the work and operational requirements;
- Personal circumstances (including family responsibilities);
- Whether you could reasonably expect to be asked to work a public holiday;
- The type of employment (full‑time, part‑time, casual, shiftwork);
- Compensation offered (overtime, penalties, TOIL);
- Notice provided of the request and, for a refusal, the notice you gave the employer; and
- Any other relevant matters.
An employee who reasonably refuses to work on a public holiday should not be penalised or dismissed for their refusal.