The NSW Dental Assistants' Association

[melindau]

My employer decided that he wanted me to start taking OPG and PA/BW so he enrolled me in the DA cert radiography. this course requires me to attend practicals. I just recently attended a 2 day practical in sydney. Am I entitled to be paid for these 2 days? My employer did not pay me for the 2 days so I have had to use my annual leave

Any feed back on the matter would be greatly appreciated

cheers
mel

[Kathy Vern-Barnett]

Hello Mel,
This question has become a little complicated now because there are 2 Awards in place for DAs in NSW until 2010.
If you are still paid under the State Award, clause 21 on Block Release to attend TAFE (OTEN) is as follows:

(i) An employee shall be allowed paid leave for the purposes of block release to enable him/her to
undertake the level III Certificate in dental assisting referred to in subclause (iv) of Clause 1 -
Wages and Classifications, by correspondence or to attend a college of the Department of Education and Training or the Dental Assistants Association for practical block release training.

(ii) The leave stated in subclause (i) of this clause shall not exceed one month and any request for
such leave shall be made in writing at least one month before the date of commencement of the
leave sought.

(iii) Nothing in this clause shall require the employer to reimburse the employee for travelling
expenses incurred in connection with practical block-release training.

If your employer's business is registered as a Company then your pay and conditions may be governed by the Federal Award. Unfortunately I am not able to give you information on that.
You are entitled to see a full copy of your award at work, therefore should be able to ask your boss to show it to you.
Whatever the result, just keep in mind that it is always useful to have another qualification and your pay will increase when you have your certificate.