CASUAL workers across the Wimmera are now able to ask their employers for a permanent position.
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Workers who have been in a role for at least 12 months, and who average 38 hours each week, are now legally allowed to ask if they can be transferred into a full time or part-time role.
The new clause is added to 85 awards. The Fair Work Commission first announced the reform in August and changes came into effect on October 1.
Employers can still refuse requests, but only on reasonable grounds, such as a circumstance where an employee’s role will no longer be available in a year. Requests must be in writing and provided to an employer.
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Skillinvest chief executive Darren Webster said it would give casual workers more employment security.
“This is a practice that has been around for some time, so this is a way to formalise it,” he said.
“It will be another way to protect workers who are treated like casual workers, but who are actually working enough hours to be a full-time employee.
“While it might not have a huge impact in our region, it will put pressure on workplaces that have exploited their workers in the past. There are positives and negatives to the changes on both sides.”
Simpsons Stawell consultant Peta Folkes said it would be a positive change for workers.
“It’s of course more beneficial for the individual worker than the employer,” she said.
“They will be able to have all the benefits that came from being a permanent worker – sick leave and annual leave.”
Australian Council of Trade Union president Michele O'Neil said it was a win for all workers.
“There is still a lot left to do to turn around the insecure work crisis, but for the hundreds of thousands of workers on these awards this is a great win and only happened because unions fought for it,” she said.
Under the Fair Work Act, casual employees are entitled to a higher hourly pay rate than equivalent full-time or part-time employees, as they don't get benefits such as sick or annual leave.
Casual employees do not have firm commitment in advance from an employer about how long they will be employed for, or the number of hours they will work each week.
Full-time and part-time employees have ongoing employment – or a fixed-term contract – and can expect to work regular hours each week. They are also entitled to paid sick leave and annual leave.
