The Emergency Management Act 2004 (SA) provides protections for employees who may need to miss work to help with emergency management.

Under s 33, a person who is absent from employment on official duties in connection with response or recovery operations undertaken in accordance with that Act may not be dismissed or prejudiced in employment because of that absence [s 33].

Section 33A also protects against an employer causing detriment to an employee for missing work because they were carrying out an emergency management response, characterising such action as victimisation. Such victimisation may be dealt with as a civil action in tort or under the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (SA). Detriment includes injury, damage, loss, intimidation, harassment, discrimination, disadvantage, adverse treatment or threats of reprisal [s 33A(8)].

Volunteers in emergency services such as the CFS should let their employer know. Employees should also check their employment contract or enterprise agreement in case there is a specific provision that permits paid leave to attend to official emergency management duties.