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School leavers told workplace rights

Posted on November 13, 2009, 8:08am

School leavers are being encouraged to check their workplace rights if they intend taking jobs over summer.

Fair Work Ombudsman Nicholas Wilson said knowledge was the best defence for young workers against being unwittingly short-changed.

“When you’ve just left school, every dollar counts,” he said.

“Often the excitement of the first pay packet and a lack of understanding of the laws that protect them can leave young workers vulnerable to unacceptable workplace practices.”

Mr Wilson said particularly 15 to 18 year-olds starting their first job should know that unpaid work trials are generally against the law and having money deducted from wages if the cash register is short, or customers have damaged stock, is illegal.

“Entering the workforce should be a positive experience, and we’re here to help empower young people to ensure that is the case,” he said.

“It’s as simple as picking up the phone and calling our national Infoline on 13 13 94 to speak with one of our Fair Work advisers.

“We have also dedicated a section on our website to assist young workers, either by downloading information or chatting live on-line with an advisor.”

Mr Wilson said young workers should keep a simple work diary to keep track of their shifts and pay, noting the date, start and finishing time, meal breaks and the name of their supervisor.

“A record of events such as this can be extremely helpful in resolving issues that may arise down the track,” he said.

Over the next month, tens of thousands of post-cards alerting students to their workplace rights will be distributed in areas populated by young people, including cafés, cinemas and shopping centres.

Last year the Fair Work Ombudsman audited 400 businesses primarily employing young workers and recouped $634,000 for 1 700 young employees who had been underpaid.

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