Thread: Our latest scheme for getting casual Workers

Originally Posted by trog

is the three hours in private or public transnsport ? Also does that include getting through peak hour capital city traffic ? It takes me two hours on the bus/train to make town on a sunday . would you say it is a good use of time and energy to compel someone to drive thee hours to a casual job that may only last 4 hours then tap them on the shoulder and tell them the job is finnished. The casual job I am doing requires a budgeted travel time of one hour min each way , plus tolls , for a minimum wage and rarely more than five hours. Not the best use of time and resources I think.

The current 1 1/2 hours is travel "by any means". A considerable percentage of the working population in our major cities are travelling this much. People have been working in Sydney and travelling from the Blue Mountains and the Central Coast as long as I can remember. Likewise in Brisbane with workers coming from Caboolture, Gold coast, Ipswich.

Originally Posted by Brian Hjelm

Their obligation is to actively seek all kinds of work, casual, part-time, full time, and to accept any "suitable work" offered to them. Suitable work is defined as having fair award rates of pay and conditions, conducted at reasonable hours, within 1 1/2 hours travel of the client's residence, and the client is capable of performing the work without distress, injury, or exacerbating any conditions they may suffer. Piece work or commission only work is not "suitable work" as it does not pay a wage. If the farmer was unwilling to pay a wage, or retainer plus pay per container then an unemployed person can not be sent there. Much harvest work is payment by bag, bin, basket or whatever container is used.

Heard it all. Whilst there ARE genuinely unemployed, there are a LOT of bludgers as well. I have been told by a guy living in Caboolture that he couldn't work in Brendale because he "doesn't do public transport".

Could just about write a book of dole bludgers excuses and scams

Originally Posted by nugge t

Heard it all. Whilst there ARE genuinely unemployed, there are a LOT of bludgers as well. I have been told by a guy living in Caboolture that he couldn't work in Brendale because he "doesn't do public transport".

Could just about write a book of dole bludgers excuses and scams

Maybe we should do a thread on best excuses for not turning or being able to go to work.


I had 1 last year "The bus came 1 minute early and I missed it"


Cheers Ean

When we were using employment agencies who were placing unemployed we had a massive turn over..and that was AFTER we screened out the druggies.

65% would take a day off in the first week hoping they would be sacked. We would employ them as 38hr casuals but they would tell Centrelink they were only getting 3 days. They would then take off 1 or 2 days a week until they were sacked and then go straight back on the dole.

Nearly had a stand up fight on the footpath with one guy who was demanding to be sacked and me refusing!!!!!!!

The bottom line is that the incentive to work has to be greater than the reward for not working. It was amazing how eager Indian students were to work as they had no fall back position. And before frantic jumps on the union bandwagon....they were paid exactly the same wages and had exactly the same conditions as the Aussies or anyone else. Ironically because of our bonus sytem, they earned more than the Aussies because they worked harder!

Originally Posted by nugge t

When we were using employment agencies who were placing unemployed we had a massive turn over..and that was AFTER we screened out the druggies.

65% would take a day off in the first week hoping they would be sacked. We would employ them as 38hr casuals but they would tell Centrelink they were only getting 3 days. They would then take off 1 or 2 days a week until they were sacked and then go straight back on the dole.

Nearly had a stand up fight on the footpath with one guy who was demanding to be sacked and me refusing!!!!!!!

The bottom line is that the incentive to work has to be greater than the reward for not working. It was amazing how eager Indian students were to work as they had no fall back position. And before frantic jumps on the union bandwagon....they were paid exactly the same wages and had exactly the same conditions as the Aussies or anyone else. Ironically because of our bonus sytem, they earned more than the Aussies because they worked harder!

sorry...that should have read " before anyone frantically jumps"

Originally Posted by nugge t

The bottom line is that the incentive to work has to be greater than the reward for not working.

Agreed. The lowest level wages less payg tax deductions less cost of working pay little more than single unemployment allowance. The minimum wage has to be lifted to a level where these jobs become attractive. The number of times I was giving a beno a serve for not applying for low level jobs and was told that after tax and costs they had barely more to show than the unemployment payment and thus worked 38 hours for a few dollars. Single non homeowners on benefit or pension are dirt poor if they are paying private rent. When they start full time work and lose their benefit, they also lose the rent allowance. Many find that when they have been working about six weeks, garnishees start arriving, commonly from the Child Support Office. They are then worse off than they were on benefit so they resign.

Partly agree. The greatest requirement for employment is the desire to work. Traditionally, money is down the list of employment satisfaction and is an easy cop out for unemployed. I had a guy tell me some years ago that he wouldn't get out of bed for under $26/.hr but he was happy to sit on the dole for $8.50 or what ever he was getting as a single guy at the time.

The Indian students face exactly the same situation as those on the dole but they HAVE to work. Amazing how motivated THEY are.

Am currently looking for a general hand with a drivers licence, forklift ticket and some mechanical understanding for a general hand position doing mould changes and some machine maintenance under supervision.

In 3 weeks we have been sent 2 wharehouse guys and a plant operator. Apparently the requirement to have a drug test to too onerous!

Originally Posted by nugge t

Partly agree. The greatest requirement for employment is the desire to work. Traditionally, money is down the list of employment satisfaction and is an easy cop out for unemployed. I had a guy tell me some years ago that he wouldn't get out of bed for under $26/.hr but he was happy to sit on the dole for $8.50 or what ever he was getting as a single guy at the time.

The Indian students face exactly the same situation as those on the dole but they HAVE to work. Amazing how motivated THEY are.

Am currently looking for a general hand with a drivers licence, forklift ticket and some mechanical understanding for a general hand position doing mould changes and some machine maintenance under supervision.

In 3 weeks we have been sent 2 wharehouse guys and a plant operator. Apparently the requirement to have a drug test to too onerous!

I have a drivers license. Don't think I'm proficient at the rest. I'm willing to do a forklift course. When can I start?