The Fair Work Commission has confirmed that penalty rates will be lowered for Australians working in the retail, fast food, pharmacy and hospitality industries.
Delivered at 11:00am this morning, the fiercely opposed ruling is the product of two years of deliberation by the Commission which will see rates cut by between 25-50% of the standard wage for some full-time and part-time workers:
Whilst staunchly opposed by many employees, the rationale of the Commission as noted by the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry is understood to be to provide employers “greater capacity to open their doors longer, take on more staff and give them more hours” with the reform being one of a number of workplace recommendation made by the Productivity Commission last year.
The amended penalty rates are due to be imposed on 1 July 2017 and will affect the employees working on Sundays and public holidays. Saturday penalty rates were also subject to review by the Fair Work Commission but remain unchanged.
The ruling is available on the website of the Fair Work Commission and can be read by following this link: http://bit.ly/2lxCjPX
Please feel free to contact our office on 6331 2911 if you have any questions about how these changes will affect yourself or your business.