If you’ve been hired as a seasonal casual worker for the Christmas period, it’s important you know your rights.
It doesn’t matter if it’s your first shift or if you’re just employed for the Christmas rush, you still have rights at work. The SDA is here to make sure all workers receive their entitlements.
The 12 Rights of Christmas Casuals
- Casual workers receive a casual loading on top of the permanent base rate (usually 25%) on each hour worked.
- Your shifts must be at least 3 hours long (except in certain circumstances). If you’re rostered to work less than this, you must be paid for 3 hours of work.
- The Christmas rush is no reason to not be paid for all time you work. If you work before or after your shift, you must be paid for this time. It doesn't matter if it’s not part of your shift - if you have to work, you must be paid.
- Penalty rates apply if you’re working in the evenings, on weekends or public holidays. These will be calculated on the permanent base rate, excluding the casual loading.
- If you’re unable to work a shift, it’s not your responsibility to find a replacement. Casuals have the right to decline any shift or take unpaid leave if you’re unable to work.
- Breaks are not optional extras. You have the right to take your breaks at the designated time. Taking your paid rest break doesn’t mean you can’t go to the bathroom or have a water break during your shift.
- Training – including online training modules - must be paid if it’s mandatory.
- On public holidays and part-day public holidays, you have the right to refuse to work on reasonable grounds if you’re asked to work.
- Pay slips must be provided within one working day of your pay day and can be an important tool to figure out if you’ve been underpaid.
- If you’re required to wear a uniform or special clothing and have to wash it, you must be provided with an allowance to cover the cost of washing it.
- Customer abuse is not a part of the job. Abuse, violence and anti-social behaviour are safety hazards and should be reported and treated in the same way as physical hazards or injuries at work.
- If you’ve been working as a casual worker for 6 months or more, you might be eligible to become a part-time worker if you believe you have a firm commitment to ongoing work.
I want to increase my hours and continue working after Christmas, what can I do?
If you want stay on after the Christmas period or increase your hours, it’s a good idea to keep your availability up to date and speak with your rostering manager to find out if there are any additional hours you can pick up.
The SDA is here to provide advice, discuss the options available to you and guide you through this process. Feel free to speak to your Organiser or give us a call to learn more.
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