Southern Cross University has agreed to pay all staff – including casual employees – for their rostered hours today, despite campuses being closed due to a Coronavirus alert.

Permanent staff will be paid as usual without having to take leave.

Both the Lismore and Gold Coast campuses were closed to all students and staff this morning following reports that a Philippines-based academic who visited last week was later diagnosed with the Covid-19 virus. (See earlier story https://lismore.app.link/BLRE3IQDK4)

The closure prompted fears among casual staff that they would not be paid for the day. One woman said she was left “feeling worried about making ends meet over the next couple of months as a casual worker and sole parent”. 

Almost half the academic teaching staff at SCU are casual and any non-paid days would “have a big impact on a lot of people”, said Kate Mitchell, SCU branch president for the National Tertiary Education Union NSW.

She welcomed the university’s “compassionate response” to the casual staff members. “I’m very pleased that the university is not asking staff to pay for something out of their control,” Ms Mitchell said.

Following the announcement of the closure, Ms Mitchell wrote to the university’s human resources department and Vice Chancellor Adam Shoemaker to inquire about the payment and holiday status of staff unable to go to work.

She heard back later in the morning and congratulated the university on its responsible attitude – and for its follow-up.

 “The university has followed the local health authority’s advice and made an effort to locate anyone who may have been in contact with the infected man during his time at the campuses,” she said.

While some staff were able to work from home, others were not, Ms Mitchell said, but she expected the university would move towards making it possible for more staff able to do so.

The vulnerability of casual employees during the Coronavirus crisis could affect millions of workers nationwide, who may be forced to self-isolate and try to survive without an income.

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Scott Morrison urged business to look after all workers, no matter what type of contract they were on.