Australia’s biggest tech company Atlassian makes controversial Australia Day move
Australia’s largest technology company has joined other multi-billion dollar companies in letting staff choose when they want to celebrate the Australia Day public holiday.
Sydney-based software company Atlassian will allow staff to work on January 26 and give them the option to take the day off on an alternative date.
The $95 billion company joins two of the big four banks, ANZ and the Commonwealth Bank, and a host of other companies making the move this year.
They are the latest companies to make operational changes for the national holiday after Woolworths announced it will not be selling Australia Day merchandise.
January 26 is seen by many First Nations people as a day of mourning rather than a holiday as it marks the day colonial Australia began.
Australia’s largest tech company Atlassian (pictured, co-founder Scott Farquhar) will allow staff to choose a different day in January to celebrate Australia Day
Atlassian’s policy allows employees to work on January 26 and take vacation on another day of the month.
While the tech company specifically mentions that it can swap holiday workers on Australia Day, other companies let workers swap any statutory holiday.
They include professional services firm Deloitte, accounting firm EY Australia, Telstra, ANZ, Commonwealth Bank and NAB.
Another multinational professional services firm, KPMG, only allows employees to change the day they celebrate holidays because of religious, cultural or heritage beliefs, and not because of personal beliefs.
While the option is there, a Deloitte spokesperson said those who take the opportunity to change which day they celebrate Australia Day are in the minority.
“Based on experience, we expect that the vast majority of our people will take advantage of the Australia Day public holiday,” a Deloitte spokesperson said. The Australian.
‘If employees have to work on Australia Day due to customer commitments, they are entitled to an extra day off of their choice.’
The tech company is the latest in a series of companies to make policy changes related to January 26 (pictured, Australia Day revelers)
The revelations come after Woolworths sparked outrage for failing to stock its shelves with Australia Day merchandise.
A spokesperson said their focus was on offering food and products for all occasions, including Australia Day.
“Customers across all our stores can also expect a range of great value food offers and special offers next week to enjoy with family and friends in the lead up to and ahead of the Australia Day long weekend,” a spokesperson said.
Woolworths previously said demand for Australia Day merchandise has gradually declined in recent years.
“At the same time, there has been a broader discussion about January 26 and what it means for different parts of the community,” their statement read.
‘We know that many people like to use this day as a time to come together and we offer a wide variety of products to help customers celebrate the day as they choose.
“Woolworths and BIG W celebrate the best of Australia every day, and we are proud to support the farmers, producers and suppliers who work with us.”