Tips for young Central Queensland/Wide Bay Queensland job seekers this Christmas
Central Queensland and Wide Bay school and uni students entering the workforce for the first time this summer have been warned not to accept job offers that require they work unpaid to gain “work experience”.
The Central Queensland and Wide Bay Regional Manager for the Office of Fair and Safe Work Queensland, Mr Darryl Giddins, said industrial laws set the standard in relation to fair workplace laws and they did not allow workers to be hired without being paid a minimum rate of pay and entitlements.
“Most employers in Central Queensland and Wide Bay do the right thing by their workers but a few don’t,” he said.
“The fact is that all employees, young and old, have rights and responsibilities that are cemented in law.
“Any offer to young people involving working a week or even less on an unpaid basis, either as a trial or to gain experience, should be treated with due caution.
“Young people are among the most exploited in the workforce. They are inexperienced and more likely to be taken in by a small minority of unscrupulous employers.
“The time-honoured and commonsense approach of most employers and employees – that a fair day’s work deserves a fair day’s pay, still stands true.
“Employees must be paid the minimum wage prescribed by the relevant award or agreement or the Queensland Minimum Wage.
“It matters not that the work is on a trial basis - if the work is not remunerated then the employer could be fined.”
Mr Giddins also reminded Central Queensland and Wide Bay employers of their obligations under the Child Employment Act for the looming holiday trading period.
“During school holidays, children between 13 and 15 years of age inclusive can only be permitted to work up to 38 hours per week and up to eight hours per day. Children aged 11 and 12 years of age may only be employed in supervised delivery work and only between 6am and 6pm,” he said.
The minimum age does not apply to work in a family business or in the entertainment industry where specific provisions apply.
The Office of Fair and Safe Work Queensland is part of the Department of Justice and Attorney-General.
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