Base Rate Reduction - Dropping down to Casual from Temp FT

phoenixi0n on 26/10/2023 - 16:26
Last edited 27/10/2023 - 12:48

Hi OZB,

So, I just got sent a new contract after asking to be put down to casual (Gov't job). So basically same job, however another casual contract. I was given this afternoon a new contract that I will be paid at a minimum base rate (1), previously Temp FT (Grade 3) . Just few $3 difference.

I believe they will still expect me to do the same amount of work (also undertaking some auditing work for the manager, probably the HR and coordinator was not aware of this). I am ok for them to put me down on the lowest rate (given that I also not doing other unecessary tasks)

Not sure if this was this a thing or should I negotiate to ask previous pay grade.

PS: a bit more about grading system, there is 5 grade for base rate. 1-3 is based on experience (3 is the highest you can ask during new employment) and 4-5 is based on performance (you can ask after performance reviews). I have negotiated during my Temp FT assignment that I do have quite extensive experience and technical skills and the previous coordinator OK'd it for grade 3.

I want to drop down to casual because my work did not give me the support that I needed even though I and other workers have asked for it multiple times (have been denied, even though other location was less busier, with more staff on)

End Note: New contract stipulates I will be on an entry level renumeration. I have signed the new contract under entry level, however I will not be undertaking any "managerial auditing/system fixing" duties. This means there will be more ball kicking to the manager if anything happens ~shrug~

Education & Work

Comments

  • Drakesy on 26/10/2023 - 16:36
    +2

    Casual should come with a 10-20% uplift imho due to lower job security.

  • GG57 on 26/10/2023 - 16:41

    Is this a Public Service role?

    • phoenixi0n on 27/10/2023 - 00:05

      Yes. Community service dept

  • AustriaBargain on 26/10/2023 - 17:16

    Apparently you can negotiate within a few grades for government work. If you know you're worth a grade or two above then demand it.

    • freefall101 on 26/10/2023 - 18:11

      Sounds like OP has already done that and will just need to do it again.

      Which is shitty, but I’m guessing it’s through a job agency and not direct with the gov. Otherwise I’d be curious what “support” they don’t offer.

  • Pcosmic on 26/10/2023 - 17:23
    -1

    Stop wasting tax payer money

  • bobbified on 26/10/2023 - 17:35

    I want to drop down to casual because my work did not give me the support that I needed even though I and other workers have asked for it multiple times (have been denied, even though other location was less busier, with more staff on)

    Curious to understand what kind of support you were denied (but not expecting any further details since you left a lot of questions unanswered in your last post!).

    When you were negotiating, didn't you talk about the 'basics' of it means to be a TempFT vs a Temp Casual before they go away and issue you a new contract?

    When you say 'Temp FT', is that like a full time employee where you get sick leave, annual leave, etc but you have an end-date to your employment? And 'Casual' is.. you only get paid on the days you work? If that's the case, then the equivalent casual rate would be be Annual Full Time salary, divided by 220. That'll be your daily rate (to factor in the increase for the lack of sickies, public holidays and annual leave). Then divide by the number hours you work each day to get your hourly rate.

  • JIMB0 on 26/10/2023 - 21:10

    If you get a casual loading on top you'll be ahead, especially when doing overtime.

    • ssfps on 27/10/2023 - 03:59

      In my experience casual loading was less than the benefits recieved for FT, primarily personal leave and annual leave.

  • try2bhelpful on 27/10/2023 - 11:35

    Firstly customer facing for any Government entity is likely to be stressful so you should start by talking to your GP about coping mechanisms to help you. The department should be looking after you and if they aren’t then you are well within your rights to take stress leave.
    Second. Sit down with your manager and find put what the job entails and what backend support there is for front of house. You should know exactly what your duties do and don’t entail. Do not assume they still won’t dump everything on you just because you have gone casual.
    Third. Casual should mean a higher hourly rate than full time. Discuss that with the manager as well.

    Before you go into a meeting with the boss get your head around what you expect the role to be and what you are delivering. Especially with casual work there needs to be clear demarcation on hours and work. Otherwise they will just dump everything on you and expect you to do a FT job in the lot less casual hours.

    Best of luck. It sounds like you are attempting to do a good job in particularly trying circumstances. It might be worth looking around for positions in other Government areas as well. Step away from the blast furnace.

    • phoenixi0n on 27/10/2023 - 12:53

      All is good, now on entry level duties (which I can shrug off some responsibilities that some other level 1 has been getting away with. And if they did say something about it, I can point it out that indeed they got away with it).

      I also have casual employment at other separate Council which gives me choice of where to work. The other Council has asked me to work more so I am very blessed. Hopefully, this Council won't have much issue as I can see at the moment that we have more staff on deck.

      Thank you!

      • try2bhelpful on 27/10/2023 - 14:23
        +1

        Glad to see you have choices. Enjoy.

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