When you talk about the cost of doing business on a weekend versus quality time at home with the family – you’re always going to get a passionate debate.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Fair Work Commission’s decision to reduce Sunday and public holiday penalty rates for people working in the retail, fast food, hospitality and pharmacy industries has been described as “an attack on people who already struggle to survive” where penalty rates make an important difference from week to week” (St Vincent de Paul Society’s National Council CEO John Falzon).
It’s hard to sit on the fence on this one, you’re either impacted by the decision or you’re not not – but it’s equally hard not to feel for those workers who will suffer as a result of this decision.
It’s been said workers will be able to make up the difference by taking on extra shifts; working longer hours.
But doesn’t that defeat the purpose of a work life balance, which we ultimately all would like to achieve?
Cutting penalty rates will most likely create jobs, if businesses aren’t just out to pocket the savings (and who could blame some for wanting to), but why does it have to come at the expense of the workers, many of whom are family people, or young people in their first job?
Charities are even worried it will create more of a demand for their services.
And who’s to say the benefits will actually be passed onto the rest of us, because at least some of the argument for cutting penalty rates was based on the increased cost to consumers of goods and services.
Does that mean that as consumers we’ll see that 10 per cent to 15 per cent Sunday surcharge decrease, or disappear altogether?
As a customer, it’s hard to accept that your coffee will cost you more on a Sunday, or public holiday, than any other day of the week, but when you think that the people who serve you that coffee are foregoing time with their own families it’s easier to swallow.
As a society aren’t we all about quality of life?
Or is that just rhetoric?
Why should these people who work in these targeted industries not be rewarded in this small way.
Think about it the next time you take your family out for breakfast, and the person who takes your order is the mum of a kid who goes to school with your own child.
On what side of the counter would you rather be?
