{"id":273042,"date":"2025-04-08T08:47:09","date_gmt":"2025-04-08T08:47:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aihr.com\/?post_type=hr-glossary&p=273042"},"modified":"2025-04-08T08:47:11","modified_gmt":"2025-04-08T08:47:11","slug":"rostered-day-off","status":"publish","type":"hr-glossary","link":"https:\/\/www.aihr.com\/hr-glossary\/rostered-day-off\/","title":{"rendered":"Rostered Day Off"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What is a rostered day off (RDO)?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A rostered day off (RDO) is a scheduled day off work that an employee earns by working additional hours over a period of time. It\u2019s typically part of an employee\u2019s working arrangement under an award, enterprise agreement, or employment contract in Australia. RDOs are prearranged within the employee\u2019s roster and can be either paid or unpaid<\/a>, depending on the specific agreement and industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When RDOs are paid, it\u2019s usually because the employee has worked extra time\u2014beyond their standard daily hours\u2014which accumulates over a set period and is later taken as time off. This system is common in sectors like construction, manufacturing, trade, and contract centers. For example, in the building and construction industry<\/a>, it\u2019s typical for employees to work 8-hour days instead of 7.6 hours for 19 consecutive days, then take the 20th day as a paid RDO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Definition\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How does a rostered day off work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In industries where RDOs are part of workplace agreements, understanding how they operate can help both employers and workers plan ahead. Below is an overview of how RDOs are accrued, scheduled, and managed across different settings in line with rostered day-off guidelines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accumulation of extra hours<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Employees work additional hours each day (e.g., 8.5 or nine hours instead of a standard 7.6 or eight). These extra hours are \u201cbanked\u201d and tracked over a period\u2014such as a fortnight or month\u2014until they add up to a full day off. While the RDO may feel like a free paid day, the employee has already worked the hours in advance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scheduled day off<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Once enough hours are accrued, the employee takes a paid rostered day off as agreed in their workplace award, enterprise agreement, or employment contract<\/a>. The RDO is scheduled in advance, either on a fixed cycle (e.g., every second Friday) or flexibly, depending on workload.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Industry-specific agreements<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Different awards and agreements outline the rostered day off guidelines, including how many can be taken and how they should be managed. Some industries may have restrictions on accumulating or banking RDOs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pay and leave considerations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

RDOs are considered paid time off<\/a> since the employee has already worked the required hours. If an employee is unwell on a scheduled RDO, it generally remains recorded as an RDO and is not converted to sick leave unless stated otherwise in the agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Learn how to design smarter time-off strategies<\/h3>\n

Create leave policies that balance employee wellbeing with business goals.<\/p>\n

In AIHR\u2019s Compensation & Benefits Certificate Program<\/a>, you\u2019ll learn how to structure time-off strategies as part of a broader Total Rewards approach. The program covers how to ensure compliance with labor laws, communicate entitlements clearly, and design leave programs that support productivity, retention, and employee engagement.<\/p>\n

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GET STARTED<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n \n\t<\/div>\n\t \n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

What is the difference between ADO and RDO days off?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While ADOs (Accrued Days Off) and RDOs (Rostered Days Off) share the common goal of providing employees with paid time off, their specific implementation can vary between industries and organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCategory\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tADO (accrued day Off)\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRDO (rostered day off)\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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How it\u2019s earned<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n

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Employees work extra hours each day and accrue time toward a day off.<\/p> <\/div>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Employees follow a structured schedule that includes regular, pre-set days off.<\/p> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Flexibility<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n

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More flexible \u2013 employees can accumulate hours over time and may have some control over when they take their ADO.<\/p> <\/div>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Less flexible \u2013 RDOs are usually scheduled in advance as part of a fixed roster.<\/p> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Common industries<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n

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Government, public sector, healthcare, and administrative roles.<\/p> <\/div>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Construction, manufacturing, trades, and some private sector roles.<\/p> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Scheduling<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n

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Taken once enough hours have been accrued, often with manager approval.<\/p> <\/div>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Occurs on a regular cycle (e.g., every second Friday) as part of the work schedule.<\/p> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Banking or carrying over<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n

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In some cases, employees can bank accrued time and take an ADO at a later date.<\/p> <\/div>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Usually must be taken as scheduled unless the agreement allows for carry-over.<\/p> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Pay and conditions<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n

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Employees are paid for their ADO as they have already worked the extra hours.<\/p> <\/div>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Employees receive paid time off as part of their structured work schedule.<\/p> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t <\/div>\n \t\t\t \t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The benefits of rostered days off<\/h2>\n\n\n\n