Hospitality told to improve image
TOURISM and hospitality industries need to improve their image as an employer if they want to attract more talented candidates, the staff union says.
United Voice acting branch secretary Jess Sanders said insecure work, wage theft and downward pressure on wages combined to make the industry less attractive to young workers than it should be — one of the reasons it was sometimes hard to find staff.
Ms Sanders said she would like to see better education for young workers on their entitlements and how to pursue them, given that “businesses paying proper wages being the rule not the exception”.
“Wage theft is rampant in hospitality, I’d like to see appropriate penalties for businesses who do the wrong thing,” she said.
“The stories everywhere on wage theft, be it small or be it large, it’s so widely spread that it does give a sense that when there are businesses paying proper penalty rates, paying proper entitlements, superannuation, it does feel like that is the exception not the rule.
“And you know there isn’t a lot of education on what your entitlements are and how to access assistance if you’re not being paid properly.”
“Not only that but actually seeing an acceptance that penalty rates are deserved — have a public holiday pass by without business agitating for a penalty rate cut — recognition that people who do work on those days do deserve appropriate compensation.”
The union has recently created a website — ratemyboss.com.au — to allow workers to rate employers for their adherence to workplace laws, which may be rolled out in Tasmania.
“The Victorian version is going well so far. It’s a trial at the moment and they’ve had a huge uptake of employees wanting to participate in it,” Ms Sanders said.
“Just a quick glance over the website is pretty interesting — honestly given reviews. There are five-star employers as well. So it’s not just about uncovering issues in the sector but also supporting employers that do do the right thing.” 2022: Health and aged care
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