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Extended Trading Hours

Extended Trading Hours

Why the SDA Opposes Unregulated Trading Hours

What we know:

The majority of Queenslanders do not support extending retail trading hours.

There is no substantial evidence to suggest that extended retail trading hours lead to increased employment within the industry.

SDA members, who are directly affected by extended trading hours, do not want these hours to be expanded. Retail workers deserve a work-life balance and the dignity of quality working conditions.

Extended trading hours are argued to increase shopping convenience but do not generate additional consumer spending.

The SDA advocates for regulated hours to safeguard workers’ health, ensuring they have sufficient time for rest and recovery. Unregulated trading hours place undue strain on workers, leading to longer shifts, greater workloads, and diminished work-life balance.

Research shows that extended trading hours do not create more jobs; instead, they lead to overstretched rostering resulting less support and increased workloads.

SDA’s Efforts to Protect Workers

SDA consistently lobbies to preserve regulated trading hours and opposes attempts to undermine existing regulations, including opposing applications made under section 5 of the legislation that seek exemptions for big retailers during special events.

Legislative Engagement: The SDA submitted recommendations to the Parliamentary Education, Employment, and Training Committee during an inquiry into Queensland’s trading hour arrangements. These included amendments to require retailers to prove the necessity for extended hours during special events and to extend protections for voluntary work to all extended hours. The Committee accepted these recommendations, and agreed to an extension of the existing moratorium for 12 months. The Trading (Allowable Hours) and Other Legislation Bill 2022 outlines a number of these changes and was passed on the 18th of August 2022.

Our Goal:

The SDA aims to maintain appropriate boundaries around work-life balance and safeguard the rights of retail employees to ensure fair working conditions.

We will continue to advocate for regulations that protect workers, ensure fair competition, and promote a balanced approach that benefits both employees and businesses

Trading Hours