Unitywater offers staff Australia Day holiday swap

Unitywater has joined the growing number of organisations offering team members the opportunity to swap the January 26 public holiday and take another day in lieu.

The water provider for the Moreton Bay Region announced the change today.

CEO Anna Jackson said the organisation was proud of its progress towards reconciliation and acknowledged there was more to be done.

“We’re still on our journey to reconciliation and are continuously working to build on our knowledge of First Nations peoples, cultures, history and achievements,” she said.

“There are many things to celebrate about being Australian, however Unitywater recognises that 26 January doesn’t represent an inclusive and unifying day for everyone.

“Giving our people a choice about the 26 January public holiday is another way to demonstrate our commitment to reconciliation and provides a more respectful choice for everyone and for our First Nations team members.”

Unitywater launched its first Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan in 2018, followed by its Innovate plan in 2020.

The organisation has an across-organisation Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) working group to develop initiatives and a First Nations Networking Group that meets quarterly to support each other, share stories, discuss how to work together towards reconciliation and educate and be a voice for First Nations people.

“I’m proud of the significant progress we’ve made with our RAP to continue to build a more inclusive workplace and provide further opportunities to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses and people across our region,” Ms Jackson said.