LeavePlus: Ensuring Long-Term Wellbeing and Protection for Construction Workers in Victoria

LeavePlus is a pivotal organization in the construction industry in Victoria, Australia. Since its inception, it has played a vital role in ensuring that construction workers are entitled to long service leave, a benefit that is crucial for maintaining the physical and mental well-being of workers. The company, which was formerly known as CoINVEST, has been an integral part of the industry since 1976. It helps support both the welfare of individual workers and the vitality of the industry as a whole.

What is LeavePlus?

LeavePlus is the portable long service leave scheme administered for construction industry workers in Victoria, Australia. This scheme is vital because, unlike other industries where workers accumulate leave entitlements with a single employer, construction workers often change employers between projects. LeavePlus ensures that workers can still accumulate their long service leave entitlements, regardless of which employer they work for. This portability is crucial to the success of the construction industry and the retention of skilled workers.

History of LeavePlus: From CoINVEST to LeavePlus

LeavePlus was founded in 1976 as CoINVEST, a system designed to address the unique needs of the construction sector. The goal of the program was to provide portable long service leave for workers who typically had shorter stints with different employers due to the nature of the industry.

For many years, the scheme operated as CoINVEST, providing workers with the ability to accumulate long service leave even though they moved from one employer to another. This system helped retain workers in the industry, reducing the turnover and ensuring that workers remained safe and healthy throughout their careers.

In 2023, CoINVEST was rebranded as LeavePlus. This transformation was not only a change of name but also a reinvigoration of the company’s mission to protect and support construction workers in Victoria. With the rebrand, LeavePlus aimed to increase member engagement, streamline communication, and enhance the service it provides to its members. Today, the organization continues to administer long service leave entitlements for workers, all while evolving with the times.

Purpose and Values of LeavePlus

LeavePlus operates with a clear purpose: to support the long-term wellbeing of construction workers and ensure the vitality of the construction industry. Its values center around collaboration, empowerment, and anticipation of change. The company’s core principles are:

• Here for Members: The organization places its members at the heart of everything they do, ensuring that their needs are met with the highest level of service.
• Thrive Together: LeavePlus believes in overcoming challenges collectively and celebrating success as a team.
• Anticipate and Create: The company strives to stay curious, innovating and implementing changes that will benefit its members.
• Empower Our People: LeavePlus values diversity and respects all team members, encouraging their personal and professional growth.

These values are critical to LeavePlus’s overall strategy of ensuring that construction workers are taken care of throughout their careers. This commitment not only improves the wellbeing of the workers but also enhances the reputation of employers within the construction sector.

The Importance of Portable Long Service Leave

The portable long service leave scheme managed by LeavePlus is of immense importance for workers in the construction industry. Long service leave is a vital employee benefit, providing workers with paid time off after they have worked for a certain number of years. In traditional industries, workers accumulate long service leave by staying with the same employer. However, in the construction industry, it is common for workers to move between different employers depending on the nature of projects. Without portable long service leave, these workers would lose their entitlement every time they changed employers, which could lead to financial insecurity and discourage workers from staying in the industry.

By offering a portable scheme, LeavePlus ensures that construction workers can accumulate and access long service leave regardless of which employer they work for. This makes the construction industry more attractive to workers, ensuring that they have access to the benefits they deserve, even if they switch employers throughout their careers.

How LeavePlus Works

The system is simple and straightforward. Employers in the construction industry contribute a designated percentage of their workers’ wages to LeavePlus. These contributions are then used to fund the long service leave entitlements of the workers. Employees are able to track their long service leave balance and access the leave when they have accrued sufficient time.

Workers are entitled to the same long service leave benefits regardless of how many different employers they have worked for in the construction industry, provided that they meet the minimum employment requirements. This makes it a valuable and reliable system for workers, allowing them to accumulate and access long service leave benefits throughout their careers.

Employers are encouraged to contribute to the system, as doing so ensures that they are meeting their legal obligations and supporting the long-term wellbeing of their workers. Furthermore, it helps improve worker retention, reducing turnover and the costs associated with hiring and training new staff.

LeavePlus: A Modern Approach to Employee Wellbeing

In its modern iteration, LeavePlus not only administers long service leave but also focuses on employee wellbeing. The construction industry is known for its physically demanding work, and workers often experience high levels of stress and fatigue. LeavePlus recognizes the importance of protecting workers’ physical and mental health.

The organization offers a variety of support services designed to help workers manage their wellbeing. This includes access to mental health resources, financial advice, and guidance on how to navigate the long service leave process. By prioritizing the health and welfare of workers, LeavePlus plays an essential role in keeping the workforce engaged, motivated, and productive.

A Look Ahead: The Future of LeavePlus

As LeavePlus continues to grow, the organization is committed to enhancing its service offerings and adapting to the changing needs of the industry. With its rebrand, LeavePlus is focused on creating an environment where members feel supported and valued. The company is also actively looking to hire new talent, welcoming individuals who are passionate about the construction industry and worker wellbeing.

The company’s vision is to become the best operator of a portable entitlements scheme, and its evolving services and commitment to innovation suggest that it is well on its way to achieving this goal.

Conclusion

LeavePlus plays a crucial role in supporting construction workers and ensuring their long-term wellbeing. Through its portable long service leave scheme, it offers workers the opportunity to accumulate entitlements no matter how many times they change employers. The organization’s commitment to worker health and safety, along with its strong values and vision for the future, make it an essential part of the construction industry in Victoria.

For more information about LeavePlus and to learn how to manage your long service leave, visit the Official Website.

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