New employment "laws"

[FROSTY:Me]

The most extreme example probably needs to be used to get the point across loud n clear.
1)Fire crew 4 hours into fighting a major fire. -Hey guys sorry law says you gotta stop work for a half hour.
2) surgeon 4 hours into a major lifesaving surgery. Back in half an hour dude.
3)Airline pilot 4 hours into a 4.15hour flight--Ohh sorry control welll just circle up here for half an hour whilst the flight crew take their break -Ohh but wait --the flight attendants are on break as well

[Oakie]

The most extreme example probably needs to be used to get the point across loud n clear.

Police: (C'mon ... if we do a runner and keep it going for 2 hours then they have to stop for a 10 minute break and then they'll never get us).

[FROSTY:Me]

Police: (C'mon ... if we do a runner and keep it going for 2 hours then they have to stop for a 10 minute break and then they'll never get us).

the problem is??

[yungatart]

I started work today at 8.45 am, got my first break at 1.30pm for 40 mins. And every Thursday is the same for me!

[cowboyz]

Then I'll do the work.

yeah, like that is ever gonna happen!

The most extreme example probably needs to be used to get the point across loud n clear.
1)Fire crew 4 hours into fighting a major fire. -Hey guys sorry law says you gotta stop work for a half hour.
2) surgeon 4 hours into a major lifesaving surgery. Back in half an hour dude.
3)Airline pilot 4 hours into a 4.15hour flight--Ohh sorry control welll just circle up here for half an hour whilst the flight crew take their break -Ohh but wait --the flight attendants are on break as well

Actually, it doesnt specifically say a break every 2 hours. It just says that in an 8.5 hour day 2 10 min paid and 1 30 min unpaid break. It leaves it so that if you and your empolyer agree you could work for 7 hours 40 min and then take 2 10 min paid breaks and then take that 30 min unpaid break.

I win in this particular law coming into effect so I anit gonna bag it.

I started work today at 8.45 am, got my first break at 1.30pm for 40 mins. And every Thursday is the same for me!

thats fine. Perfectly legal if you agree to do that.

[FROSTY:Me]

Im missin summat here. I thought that was ALWAYS the law

[Mom]

Im missin summat here. I thought that was ALWAYS the law

Yes but it was ignored in a large part by employers. This was as cowboyz says some that were not getting their break entitlements have to get them. I recently typed up over 80 employment contracts for a new owner of a supermarket, the existing contract allowed for breaks, but the new ones actually took the wording directly from the new law, and will be actively enforced by managers of each department.

Me, I dont usually take breaks, self employment usually goes that way, quick smoke stop every so often, eat while I work. Interestingly enough last waged position I had I was exactly the same. I did not take any breaks, apart from the odd smoke and gobble of my sammy at my desk.

[Ixion]

Im missin summat here. I thought that was ALWAYS the law

It *was* the law before the Employment Contracts Act. It was one of the mandatory requirements for all awards. But that all went by the board with the ECA . Now its caught up again.

[FROSTY:Me]

It *was* the law before the Employment Contracts Act. It was one of the mandatory requirements for all awards. But that all went by the board with the ECA . Now its caught up again.

ER righto--Mate not being a smartass but isn't it a basic human right to get propper breaks?

[Ixion]

It is indeed. Charitably, one might assume that it was an oversight. The old award legislation was repealed, holiday stuff was taken up in the Holidays Act, safety and such like in the H&S Act. They missed dealing with breaks.

And by and large it was so much an given that very few employers tried to take advantage of the omission. So it's not really been a big problem. But it is not unwise to ensure that noone takes advantage in the future. Whether the new legislation is well drafted is another matter.

[Motu]

In my ''area of employment'' - when the Employment Contract thing came in,the ''contract'' was just the Engineers Union Award,it was the same old same old.The first time I have ever signed a contact was for this job 18mths ago,and apart from a few small modern updates,was just the old Engineers Union award.We get paid morning and afternoon breaks and an unpaid lunch period.Same as it's always been....this so called law won't change a thing in my game.

[lb99]

ok I understand , the idea behind the breaks, its a good idea.
I get 2 x 15 min paid and one unpaid 30 min in a 10 hour day, plus more if I need it, I get paid well too......

however in my wifes position, its half a days pay man, thats her fuel budget for the week gone (back into the employers pocket) AND THE BIG FINGER WAS......the paid break used to be 15 min, now its only 10 (coz thas the "law")

this outfit are cunts, the only people getting really screwed are the school mums working 9 till 3, it not like they can just work another half hour is it.....

still, she got $0.25 ph pay rise

[Max Preload]

It *was* the law before the Employment Contracts Act. It was one of the mandatory requirements for all awards. But that all went by the board with the ECA . Now its caught up again.

Don't forget the ERA 2000 didn't reinstate it either.

Same as it's always been....this so called law won't change a thing in my game.

Mine either. I take breaks when I want, for as long as I want (within reason and depending on workload) - another of the perks of being an outside contractor (I've yet to find any disadvantages).

My policy is I don't charge for any time beyond 15 mins for morning/afternoon tea or any lunch times unless I stop only just long enough to gobble down a sandwich.

Isn't it great to be a trusted professional? those fools... mwahahahaha

[kevfromcoro]

well isnt it ironic..ever heard the saying the less you work
the more you get . i have worked my arse off for most off my life , some good and some bad..iam an engineer , and got a job down south on a large construdtion co. it has been a reel eye opener for me.
we get paid well..... $50 an hour .. and i havent done anything all week..
we got a bloke here that has been here for 6 weeks and he has done less than me..
no wonder these big projects cost so much.but they keep putting money in bank..
gota go .. its fishing time and iam getting payed for it

[cowboyz]

ok I understand , the idea behind the breaks, its a good idea.
I get 2 x 15 min paid and one unpaid 30 min in a 10 hour day, plus more if I need it, I get paid well too......

however in my wifes position, its half a days pay man, thats her fuel budget for the week gone (back into the employers pocket) AND THE BIG FINGER WAS......the paid break used to be 15 min, now its only 10 (coz thas the "law")

this outfit are cunts, the only people getting really screwed are the school mums working 9 till 3, it not like they can just work another half hour is it.....

still, she got $0.25 ph pay rise

The "law" is a minimum requirement. Not an absoulte figure. But I find more and more employers taking advantage. Mine being one of them.

Got told today that the drug and alcohol testing program which they are putting into practice will have a zero tolerance for both drugs and alcohol. Compulsory testing (serious misconduct leading to termination of contract if refuse to take the test) and the test is sensitive to alcohol for 7 days in your body. zero tolerance. If they detect alcohol in your system (note this does not mean you are intoxicated, just that you have had alcohol in the past 7 days) then it is serious misconduct leading to termination.
It is seriously shit. Have to get hold of a lawyer for this one.