YOUR RIGHTS

Rostering entitlements

Your rostering entitlements.

It is important to know your rights when it comes to rosters and roster changes.

One of the most important issues at work that impacts us all is rostering. How your roster is established or changed can have a huge impact on your personal life and loved ones.

Your Enterprise Agreement or Award contains rostering provisions that are designed to ensure that your work commitments are well balanced with your non-work life.

Many employees believe “whatever roster my employer gives me, I have to work”. This just not correct.

You have rights and entitlements under your Agreement or Award in relation to your rosters which must be followed by your employer.

The SDA often receives calls from members who are considering a proposed roster change put forward by the employer. If you do not agree with, or are unhappy with a new roster, always call the SDA (131 732) early to discuss the issue before you sign off on it.

Once you agree to a roster change, it is hard to reverse it, so if you do not accept the change, make sure you say so.

The SDA can assist you if your employer has proposed a roster you don’t agree with and can inform you of what your rights are and what the best course of action is. The SDA will insist that no changes come into effect until there is an outcome.

Most SDA negotiated Agreements provide that:

  • You must be consulted before your roster is changed and your employer must take into account your views;
  • You should be given one week’s notice of any permanent roster changes;
  • If you disagree with the change, you are given 14 days instead of one week notice to try and resolve the disagreement;
  • Your roster should not be changed frequently;
  • Your roster should take into account personal issues such as family responsibilities, study and sport commitments, religious commitments, or your ability to get safe transport home;;
  • Your roster cannot be changed to avoid penalties;
  • Your hours cannot be cut without your agreement.

Points to remember

  • If you are notified of a roster change that you do not agree with, consult the SDA to make sure you know your rostering rights;
  • Always raise your roster issue early with your line manager to try and resolve it quickly;
  • Do not agree to something if you want to dispute it later;
  • If you are unable to resolve your roster dispute with your line manager, ask for assistance from your SDA Delegate or Organiser, or call 131 SDA for assistance.

Check your Enterprise Agreement or Award

Your Enterprise Agreement or Award contains specific provisions relating to payment for time worked. Your employer is obliged to know what these entitlements are, and apply them to all employees. If you want to know what your entitlements are, or if you need help in getting paid for time that you have worked, speak to your workplace Delegate, Organiser or contact the SDA Information Centre on 131 SDA (that’s 131 732).

It is important to know your rights when it comes to rosters and roster changes

Secretary

Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association, NSW Branch

Write to PO Box K230 Haymarket NSW 1240

Phone 131 SDA (that’s 131 732)

Fax (02) 9281 7050

Log into sdansw.org.au