Is My Employer Being Fair with Me?

jimmy1593 on 25/05/2023 - 18:03
Last edited 26/05/2023 - 09:21 by 1 other user

Edit:

So got a message earlier this evening that they no longer need me. Did some google search and found that I would have been eligible for casual loading as well. Can I still get it? Should I approach fairwork?

I was being paid $22 /hour (before tax) in my bank account. The net salary I got had tax deduction. Super contribution was on top of my $22/hr pay (Super isn't yet credited in my account though)

As per Fairwork the pay comes out to be: $22 (basic) + $5(loading -25 percent) = $27.

Long story:

I recently joined a local butcher shop in inner west and during hiring my days and times were discussed. They were supposed to be Mon, Tue and Thursday from 9-6.

Everything was smooth for initial 2 weeks.

Then suddenly a week back on Monday end of day, I was told not to come tomorrow (Tuesday). So I lost a day there without pay.

This week, again today morning at around 8 AM I received a text saying that we aren't busy today please do not come. I was all set and ready to catch the train, So I again lost a day today without pay.

I know there are drawbacks of working casual but was just checking whether this is fair, this is my first job as casual/part time so want to know how industry works.

Edit : just to let know my pay rate is $22/hour + Super.

Poll Options expired

  • 71
    1. That's fair
  • 12
    2. This is Unfair
Education & Work

Comments

  • Godric on 25/05/2023 - 18:08
    +24

    That's casual for you.

  • El cheepo on 25/05/2023 - 18:10
    +3

    That’s casual work, generally for most industries only 1 hours notice is needed to tell you not to come in.

    The flip side of that is, quitting is just as easy.

    Fair? Depends on peoples view of business…
    Legal? Yes.

    Also beware to not confuse casual and part time work. (Not saying you are, but just in case)
    A part time employee has a fixed schedule and entitlements.
    A casual employee does not.

    • hasher22 on 26/05/2023 - 00:03

      Casuals can have a fixed schedule, depends on the business. When I worked in retail, plenty of casuals worked set hours and days with an option to work outside their ordinary hours. But of course, their hours can change at the next roster, had some casuals just working their set days and hours for years, works for them.

      • El cheepo on 26/05/2023 - 08:32

        plenty of casuals worked set hours and days with an option to work outside their ordinary hours. But of course, their hours can change at the next roster,

        Of course casual work can have relatively set days, I myself did it for years.
        But it’s not guaranteed, business slows down, you upset your manager or they hire someone new - it can change on you instantly.

        Thats exactly the difference between casual and permanent positions.
        Casuals have no guarantee of work. Even if they regularly get the same hours, there is always a possibility that can change without notice.

        And legally speaking, if you are working casually and do the same days/hours regularly for 6 months and have a reasonable expectation to continue doing so, you have a right to request a permanent position.

  • Muzeeb on 25/05/2023 - 18:13
    +5

    Ask for permanent part time but also expect a 25% pay drop.

  • scrimshaw on 25/05/2023 - 18:14
    +5

    Yeah, that is the most unfortunate part of casual work. You can be rostered to work but they can SMS you in the morning to say you're not needed to come in.

    They can also just stop calling you in altogether.

  • Gervais fanboy on 25/05/2023 - 18:15
    +2

    If you are a causal worker and not happy with your schedule, you can either find a permanent full time/part time role elsewhere and move on or what a lot of people do is, find a second causal role and try to juggle between the two.

  • Danstar on 25/05/2023 - 18:19
    -1

    Jimmy; you must be young? <25? Here's some free advice. The world isn't fair; but this isn't one of those times.

    • [Deactivated] on 25/05/2023 - 18:37
      -1

      Jimmy is 30 yrs old.

    • sumyungguy on 25/05/2023 - 18:48
      +1

      Looks like the casual rate for a 19yo?

      • [Deactivated] on 25/05/2023 - 19:10

        Jimmy is a vampire

  • BewareOfThe Dog on 25/05/2023 - 19:04

    Regrettably you are in a market, that struggles thanks to budget conscious people (like us), but from Colesworth (or Aldi), because its convenient. I've always tried to support butchers where possible, especially buying crumbed meat. Now, I cant' buy simple crumbed cutlets, Schnitzel etc, because thet use those CRAPPY Breadcrumbs from Tip Top, that contain Fish Oil, so now I have to buy breadcrumbs from Aldi (because they dont use Fish Oil, unlike Colesworth).
    Add to this all the butchers laid off recently by WW?
    A butcher is a dying breed thanks to Convenience.

    • [Deactivated] on 25/05/2023 - 19:29

      I have to buy breadcrumbs from Aldi (because they dont use Fish Oil, unlike Colesworth)

      I buy Coles brand breadcrumbs and it doesn't contain fish oil

      • BewareOfThe Dog on 26/05/2023 - 07:22

        Yes, but the other ones do. The brand b names.

  • freefall101 on 25/05/2023 - 19:52

    Call Fairwork, they'll be able to talk through the specifics of being a casual, your award and whatever contract you signed. There's no single answer here without having read your contract or knowing what you agreed. If your contract says you'll be rostered on for specific hours it'll be different to saying you'll work sporadic hours.

    Technically if they put up a roster of you working, or it's in your contract the hours you work, then they are in breach because they're meant to give you 36 hours for roster changes (to prevent exactly this kind of thing). However if you're just a casual on call to them, which is exactly how they're treating you, then you're pretty much out of luck.

    As for the salary, yeesh, maybe time to look elsewhere. Basically minimum award wage so long as you're under 19.

  • Empharand on 25/05/2023 - 19:59
    +4

    Find another job. $22 p/h is extremely low for a casual role
    I'd also be calling Fair Work Australia or going to their site and seeing what you should be paid as per your award because it sounds like you may be getting underpaid and if you are then your current employer will need to fix that or risk getting fined.

    • Empharand on 25/05/2023 - 21:06
      +1

      Edit: Just saw OP's latest update - Almost sounds like they were trying to get OP to quit by reducing OP's hours, either that or they're dropping profits and needed to reduce outgoings and employee wages are easily a massive financial drain for most businesses so…..

  • djsweet on 25/05/2023 - 20:14
    +1

    Literally the definition of casual. If you were permanent part time on contracted hours they would not be able to do that. But, they have you as a casual exactly so that they can do what they are doing.

  • morse on 25/05/2023 - 21:02

    If you’re getting paid the appropriate casual rate it’s probably reasonable. However maybe just have a chat with them and explain that it would be helpful to have more certainty of income or longer notice for shift cancel, so you can pick up other work that day. Start looking for something else, if you’re a decent employee, there’s lots of employers who will take you.

  • cookie2 on 25/05/2023 - 21:12

    Sounds like they changed their mind on you, for whatever reason. Casual is casual and hours can be dropped at anytime(mostly). But if you've signed a contract for DAYS then it's Part Time.
    That's a bummer but at least you found out early instead of wasting more time there. Can they give you a reference (if you need it)?
    Extremely low casual pay rate tho. Was it cash in hand?

  • oshin on 25/05/2023 - 21:12
    +3

    Find yourself another job.

  • AngoraFish on 25/05/2023 - 21:54
    +2

    The national minimum wage is $21.38 per hour. You're almost certainly covered by the requirement to pay a casual 25% loading. Call Fair Work.

    • sumyungguy on 25/05/2023 - 22:04

      … but the Meat Industry Award lists junior rates which start at 50% of the adult rate.

  • JIMB0 on 26/05/2023 - 05:23

    Enjoy your day off.

  • morse on 26/05/2023 - 07:31

    Yes, go to fair work to seek assistance to claim the difference in pay for what you should have earned + potentially seek pay for the cancelled shifts. It’s not much money but businesses need to learn to be responsible employers and not stuff people around. Of course if you’re wanting a reference from them don’t do this, but presumably you don’t want a reference from such a short gig.

    Good luck with finding your next job.

  • payless69 on 26/05/2023 - 09:53

    Either become a vegetatrian and get VET benefits
    Or buy a heavy bike
    Albo wants it this way!

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