IN-CONFIDENCE
15 February 2024
Erika Whittome
[FYI request #25519 email]
Tēnā koe Erika Whittome
Official Information Act Request
Thank you for your email of 25 January 2024, requesting information about
any long-term benefits paid to employees for COVID-19. I have considered
your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act). Please find my
decision on your request set out below.
No compensation has been paid by the Ministry to its employees for ‘long-term
COVID’ or for any ‘COVID-19 related illnesses’. One claim was made via the
Ministry’s contracted provider; however, this was declined following a specialist
report.
The Ministry’s leave provisions are in accordance with the Public Service
Commission guidelines which resulted in the availability of Discretionary Leave
for COVID-19 related illness. This was over and above the normal contracted
sick leave provisions.
I will be publishing this decision letter, with your personal detailed removed,
on the Ministry’s website in due course.
If you wish to discuss this response with us, please feel free to contact
[MSD request email].
If you are not satisfied with my decision on your request, you have the right
to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman. Information about
how to make a complaint is available a
t www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or
0800 802 602.
Ngā mihi nui
pp.
Magnus O’Neill
General Manager
Ministerial and Executive Services
