Hospo workers call for an end to arbitrary shift changes
Rostering practices have come under fire as hundreds of hospitality workers call for changes that puts safety and security first.
A national survey conducted by the United Workers Union (UWU) of 591 hospitality employees found many workers had experienced last-minute, arbitrary, or vindictive changes to their shifts.
According to the survey:
- 89 per cent had a rostered shift cut back on the day because the venue was quiet
- 70 per cent had a shift cancelled on the day it was due to start
- 77 per cent had received a roster with less than 24 hours' notice
- 57 per cent had been "ghosted" from the roster (stopped getting shifts with no explanation)
- 56 per cent had been "punished" for taking time off because they were sick
- 44 per cent have lost shifts or their job because they stood up for their rights at work
Karma Lord, the director of Hospo Voice at the UWU is pushing for systemic change.
"These survey results blow wide open how employers are weaponising rosters to silence workers about wage theft and sexual harassment and punish those who want to look after their health and wellbeing, or just have a life outside work," she said.
Employer representative Restaurant and Catering Australia (RCA), hit back saying its members and the entire industry wanted as many people working as possible.
"[RCA] believe workers and employers should always find ways to maximise utility given the current staff shortage crisis with nearly 100,000 hospitality jobs unfilled," CEO Wes Lambert said.
Irit Jackson, 6th April 2022
