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Employers will have to consider available options for employees if they have to temporarily close as a result of a natural disaster or emergency. This may include offering for employees to take accrued paid leave. Employers may also be able to stand down employees. The Fair Work Act 2009 (FW Act) allows employers to stand down employees in certain circumstances when the employee cannot be usefully employed. This includes where they can't be usefully employed because of a stoppage of work for which the employer cannot be reasonably held responsible. This may include work stoppages caused by natural disasters, such as bushfires or floods. An employer is not required to make payments to an employee for the period of a stand down, but may choose to pay their employees if they wish. Under the FW Act employee stand down provisions do not apply during a period when an employee is taking authorised paid or unpaid leave (such as annual leave) or is otherwise entitled to be absent from work (such as on a public holiday). It may be appropriate to seek guidance on these matters if you are unsure.