Will you take Australia Day off, or not? Big businesses are taking a stand

In a growing movement from corporate Australia to recognise the voice of our First Nations people, a slew of Aussie businesses are allowing employees to work on the Australia Day public holiday and take a different day off.

Corporate giants Woolworths and Telstra are among a swelling list of companies taking a symbolic stand as the debate around changing the date of Australia’s national day ramps up.

The current date marks the arrival of the First Fleet and the beginning of European colonisation in 1788, which First Nations people consider a day of mourning and often refer to as ‘Invasion Day’ or ‘Survival Day’.

In a show of reconciliation and recognition of the hurt that Australia Day commemorations can bring to First Nations people, both companies are inviting their staff to substitute the January 26 public holiday for an alternative day of leave.

Recognising First Nations voices

Among the growing list of businesses offering staff this option are Canva, Channel 10, Workways, BHP, Wesfarmers, top law firms such as Gilbert + Tobin and Herbert Smith Freehills, and big four accountants Deloitte, EY and KPMG.

In December, media company Channel 10 announced it would allow employees to switch their leave, noting that January 26 was “not a day to celebrate” for Indigenous Australians. Canva also introduced a policy this year that allows staff to observe January 27 as an alternative option if they “do not feel January 26 is a day they would like to take off”.

Federal public servants will also be allowed to swap out Australia Day for a different day off after Finance Minister Katy Gallagher reversed an order from the previous Morrison government barring the practice.

Some companies, such as Workways Australia, are taking it one step further, using their announcement of the change in leave options to educate and inform their staff of First Nations peoples’ stance.

In a staff-wide email sent out last week, Workways CEO Kieren Kearney invited staff to substitute the Australia Day public holiday for another day.

“As you would be aware, Thursday, January 26, has been scheduled as a national public holiday in recognition of Australia Day,” Kearney said.

“January 26 is the anniversary of the day in 1788 that Australia was declared a British colony by Sir Arthur Phillip, and for many Indigenous and non-indigenous Australians, this day is a recognition of the violent and devastating colonisation of Australia that displaced First Nations people from their land. Australia Day is known by First Nations people as ‘Invasion Day’ or ‘Survival Day’ in recognition of the trauma and pain that followed the arrival of the First Fleet on January 26, 1788.

“In line with our commitment to First Nations people and reconciliation, this year, we will allow Workways employees the opportunity to substitute the Australia Day public holiday for another day of absence (where possible) if this is your preference.”

He followed the announcement with links to resources and a fact sheet about January 26 from Reconciliation Australia.

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