Cafe owner supports penalty cut
CAFE and other small business owners could benefit from the reduction of penalty rates on Sundays.
The Productivity Commission released a draft report into Fair Work laws on Monday. It recommended employees receive the same wage on Sundays as they would on Saturdays.
The change in penalty rates could have a positive effect on cafes, restaurants, hospitality and the retail industry.
Turners Beach cafe Le Mar Providore owner Susan Hendriks said the weekend was her main trading period.
The cafe has been open seven days a week since its inception 3½ years ago.
Mrs Hendriks said her cafe was in a busy area.
"You have to be open on weekends - it's the way things are going," she said. "If you want to be available for tourists, you need to be open.
"People forget that when penalty rates came about, we only lived a five-day-a-week lifestyle ... times have changed and we can't live in the past."
Mrs Hendriks said decreasing Sunday penalty rates would allow her to hire more experienced staff. "I love employing young people - you have to have them, that's how they get their work experience - but on very busy days, you need more experienced staff."
Mrs Hendriks said seven employees normally worked at her cafe on Sundays.
Employers and employees are encouraged to make further recommendations to the report as part of consultation before it is finalised. Submissions must be made before Friday September 18. Visit www.pc.gov.au for details.
Source: The Advocate, Rachel Cocard, 5th August 2015
Originally published as: Cafe owner supports penalty cut
