Closing for Christmas? What Employers Need to Get Right Before the Shutdown

Annual leave, notice requirements and workforce planning for the Christmas and New Year period.

Planning to close the business over Christmas and New Year?

A holiday shutdown may seem straightforward, but directing employees to take annual leave involves important workplace law requirements.

Different rules can apply depending on whether employees are covered by a modern award, enterprise agreement or are award and agreement-free. Employers also need to consider notice requirements, employees who do not have enough accrued leave, public holidays and how shutdown arrangements are communicated.

This practical webinar will help Australian employers prepare for the Christmas period and avoid common leave and payroll mistakes before the office doors close.

18 November 2026

12:00 - 1:00 PM AEST

Online

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18 November | Closing for Christmas? What Employers Need to Get Right Before the Shutdown

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What We'll Cover

Can You Direct Employees to Take Annual Leave?

Have You Given Enough Notice?

What If an Employee Does Not Have Enough Leave?

Public Holidays During the Shutdown

Managing Leave Balances Before Christmas

Getting Your Christmas Shutdown Process Ready

A Christmas shutdown should not begin with:

“We close every year, so everyone has to take leave.”

Employers should first ask:

“Do our workplace arrangements actually allow us to direct employees to take annual leave, and have we followed the correct process?”

This webinar will help employers plan their shutdown properly, manage annual leave and reduce workplace compliance risks during the holiday season.

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