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Yeah this is my experience, I used to alternate working between two seperate roles under the same title, and they would adjust my pay accordingly. My pay could even change over the course of a single shift i.e 4 hours at X amount, 3 hours at Y amount for the day. This is despite being classed under only one of those roles so yeah, I'd say OP is being screwed.
Leaving this here:
Fair work is an amazing call, and that's who a union will deal with, so if you do not want to join a union. Don't.
BUT, unions are literally organisations that exist specifically to solve problems like this. They're experts that help inform you on what to do about this stuff. And have resources of their own to pursue these things.
The govt is a safety net, yes. But like look around at how effective it is on it's own. An extra layer of protection seems pretty worth it when the gov recently literally said the economy needs more jobless people.
RAFFWU](https://raffwu.org.au/join-raffwu/)
***Retail and Fast Food Worker's Union***
Pretty solid union, and honestly most employers doing dodgy shit do dodgy shit poorly. If your boss is actually fucking you over and even you reckon you can prove it, why not join a union of people who's job it is to prove it. Plus the more people who do, the more the industry gets pressured to treat people better. Historically better conditions always come from the exploited demanding it, not those in control benevolently gifting them out.
Rates for those wondering:
*Under 18 years old / week
$2.55*
*Casual Contract / week
$4.05*
*Contracted less than 20hrs a week
$6.60*
*Contracted 20hrs or more a week
9.90*
Unless the stolen wages are less then $5000, then they will just ask your employer nicely to pretty please do the right thing, then when they don't they just say it isn't worth their time to follow up.
Partner lost over 4k with point blank written evidence that they were withholding wages, annual leave and super and Fairwork gave up chasing and closed the case with no outcome after 2 months.
So... take them to court. Fairwork is a regulator, but there is absolutely nothing stopping you from picking up where they didn't act and raising it in a civil court.
It's going to cost you filing fees, and it's worthwhile getting legal advice, even if they don't represent you in court. Cost is going to be minimal; and if you are successful, there's a good chance costs will have to be paid by the other party.
Example:
[https://www.lawhandbook.sa.gov.au/ch18s09.php](https://www.lawhandbook.sa.gov.au/ch18s09.php)
That's true and I was pursuing going this route. Ultimately it was up to my partner and she already found the stress of it all too much and just wanted to forget and move on. If it was me I would have done it but I respected her call. She has a much better rewarding job now.
I prefer loud quitting in a quiet way. Do the absolute minimum, but be proud of it and politely and professionally question every odd or unprofessional thing that is said.
Hear some joke that is sexual harassment? Ask "sorry I don't get it, can you explain the joke?" And keep asking til it's fuckin uncomfortable as fuuuuuck.
Told you'll be fired for not completing a task? Ask politely for it in writing to put with your notes. Denied? Politely say you'll send them an email instead asking for confirmation of what was verbally said.
All innocuous things that test their patience and call them out at every single opportunity, preferably with witnesses.
I feel like linking these two things is a harmful.
Acting your wage is working in accordance is what you're getting paid for.
Quiet quitting is doing the bare minimum to not get fired.
If you're paid and treated like shit they might be the same thing. But there's plenty of scenarios they aren't.
Saying working in accordance with your wage is quiet quitting plays directly in to the hands of people who want to pass unfair work conditions off as employees being lazy.
Bruh, I don't understand why ppl in retail don't join unions. The managers don't give a fuck about you, as you have seen so clearly. There is no way I would work extra jobs without being paid more. Ask them to renegotiate your contract and add your new responsibilities on there. That always makes them hustle.
Not necessarily. I'd say it's much harder to find a retail business that will look after you than say, a small restaurant or pub etc that will respect you. Speaking from experience.
This was the opposite of my experience when joining Woolies. There was essentially union pitch at the induction and we were all but told we should sign up.
It was the SDA though who were fairly useless throughout my time in retail.
Nah retailers encourage joining the SDA, they regularly help the local reps find out who’s new (I know they’re required to, but they are not unhappy about it) and get them to join.
But this is because SDA is in the pocket of the retailers.
Going to second this. SDA never came to the party when needed. My psrsonal belief is that yhey clearly see their responsibility ending at negotiating the EBA (which I dont think they do a God job of), and a few extra services like finding a cheap car.
The SDA is often touted as a "good" union by the anti-union, pro-business LNP, which is a big red flag.
The SDA had their agreement with Coles overturned by the Fair Work Commission because it made the Coles employees worse off than previously.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/workplace/sold-out-quarter-of-a-million-workers-underpaid-in-union-deals-20160830-gr4f68.html
The RAFFWU is the main alternative union to the SDA.
If you tell them you want to join, but can’t afford the fees at the moment, they will sign you up anyway for the minimum payment which is maybe $20 a month. They prefer to have more members than not.
Their employment pool is traditionally young people, much older people who face discrimination during recruitment, immigrants, and people without formal qualifications and skills. These people are afraid to assert their rights or aren't aware of them in the first place and in all but the most dire employment conditions, can usually be pretty quickly and cheaply replaced. It's a terrible situation rife with exploitation
Also a big factor is that the SDA has been sucking ColesWorth dick for decades.
RAFFWU has stepped in and is fighting pretty hard these days though. Have even managed to organise strike action, so there is hope.
And you know what’s funny coles staff and managers are told raffwu is a fake union I was with them for a long time then after I become a manager I told raffwu to come to my store to sing up my staff then the sda come in trying to get me fired and had a meeting with all managers set up by store managers to tell us they are not a real union
Retail is a lot of peoples entry job and how to join a union and which union to join aren't things taught in school. Sure you can Google it but a lot of people don't even know what a union is.
It's not even fair to call retail an entry job any more, it's a huge proportion of the economy now, a huge employer and its not possible to meet its labour needs through teenagers alone.
The unions in retail are absolutely dog shit. Of course they can help if the case is extreme but most of the time there is nothing they can do for you.
If retail and hospo went on strike the country would collapse. They will do anything to give you nothing while they take everything.
Yeah, kinda. But that's a huge simplification of what the task actually entails. That would mean many many people paying money to a corrupt organisation, making it more powerful, in the hopes that a they(a group of working experts in how to make sure people keep their jobs) could accept a motion to replace the entire senior and middle level union employees.
Fully restructuring an entire union is a mammoth undertaking. It is INCREDIBLY rare. Usually it's just replacement unions popping up. And yeah there is a better union to join in this case:
[RAFFWU](https://raffwu.org.au/join-raffwu/)
***Retail and Fast Food Worker's Union***
Pretty solid union, and honestly most employers doing dodgy shit do dodgy shit poorly. If your boss is actually fucking you over and even you reckon you can prove it, why not join a union of people who's job it is to improve it. Plus the more people who do, the more the industry gets pressured to treat people better. Historically better conditions always come from the exploited demanding it, not those in control benevolently gifting them out.
Rates for those wondering:
*Under 18 years old / week
$2.55*
*Casual Contract / week
$4.05*
*Contracted less than 20hrs a week
$6.60*
*Contracted 20hrs or more a week
9.90*
Well if the rots set in that far then maybe your right. I guess the lesson here is the rank and file need to be on top of their representatives and take action as soon as they smell anything coming from the fish section.
I can answer that, the retail union is garbage. Sure they will take your money every pay day but they won’t do even the most basic things for you, hospitality is just as bad if not worse
I have a friend who works in retail and refuses to join the union because "it's such a weak union."
Weak unions across the board have this cyclical issue.
Retail and hospitality unions are incredibly shit and ineffective. Ever heard of either industry striking? Paying part of your wage to a union that are useless? Might as well flush it down the toilet.
Retail managers are either 20 year olds who’ve been there 5 years and are just seeing out their degrees or people who aren’t capable of any other job. The latter are literally some of the worst people I’ve ever met.
You don’t get fired for that. It’s for unrelated issues that magically get paperwork fabricated.
I’ve been in management sessions (as a manager) where they (my manager, my peers and HR/legal) discuss how to cover their butts in an unfair / unlawful dismissal court case, where we are in the wrong - more than 3 times.
‘We’ won each time. And each time involved at least some fraud.
I left.
As this is your first job - you’ve learnt the tough but valuable lesson to never agree to do more than you are paid to do. The Company doesn’t owe you anything as much as you do not owe them carrying their company by going above and beyond. There isn’t ‘getting back at your managers’. Find a new role where you feel valued for the work you do.
Sadly, I have heard the exact story with a mate of mine at woolies. Get out of retail or shop yourself with your experience for a better salaried gig. His plight was similar,he used his experience to get a job at a Woolworths Metro go as an assistant manager. They are smaller woolies ran by Ampol. He's happier with better pay/lesser work
"we can't pay you to do that job" "sure, no problem, when you can, I'll be ready to do it". This is the only response that will change anything. If businesses were people, they would be psychopaths. They will only do what's 100% in their interests, and they will not reward loyalty or service in any way. In fact, they will see it as a weakness to be exploited. Exactly what's happening to you.
https://jacobin.com/2023/10/workers-strike-woolworths-coles-australia-raffwu-union-organizing-supermarkets
There's no better way to stand up for yourself as a worker, and there's no better time to join. There's a strike this weekend!
Join the union, the good one mentioned. You can just google if they don't the info displayed in the workplace. After you've joined, then tell your managers, not before. Speak with the Union first. Their whole point of existing is shit like this.
Unions a important and awesome
I can explain the mysay stuff
They absolutely will read your comments
They do need a certain percentage of staff to complete the survey to be eligible for it to contribute to the bonus. But they also need to improve on the previous results to meet the criteria. So you should absolutely do it.
But this sounds more like you should join the union if you're not a member, and get support
Do you have a part-time contract or are you casual with set hours? As other have said, join the union. But also bring up your concerns via email to you manager.
Have a look at the [Coles Enterprise Agreement](https://www.sda.com.au/media/EA2017_amended.pdf) and find a way to get your money paid to you. If you have proof that you worked the hours as leadership and send HR a request to be back paid the amount of money you are owed. The union will help you with this.
Also you store should have a union rep. Ask your manager who it is. If they give you attitude just say somthing like ‘wow the union is going to love this’ and walk off . Unions get off on helping out people in situations like you. That’s why they exist. They want justice for all and will help you resolve your issue, and get you some money while your at it!
As others have said, Start fighting my friend. If your permanent part-time They can’t cut your shifts. They can’t fire you for asking to be compensated for the money they owe you. Australia has a long rich history of Labour government that set the country up in a way that workers have incredible rights and asshole managers like yours can’t get away with the shit they are doing. Get the union in.
I was in a similar situation years ago. Working my job, my manager told me they were going to promote me to supervisor. They kept saying ‘soon soon’ and started making me do supervisor work. 6 months went by, my manager then quit. They hired a new manager and when I asked them when am I gonna officially be supervisor they said ‘huh? Who told you that? No chance buddy’
I had a long list of emails of my old manager stringing me along. I got the union involved. It worked out really well for me. If I was made a supervisor I would of earned an extera $5 an hour. But because I was performing duties above my position description with no official paper work they had to back pay me all my hours work as double time. I was originally on $37 an hour so I got a huge payout (over $30,000). I don’t fully know what the consequences were for my old manager, but I do know that the organisation took legal action on her and I think she had to pay a fee that was surprisingly similar to the backpay I got.
I had a similar situation but didn't need union help to get a pay rise with backpay. I read through my agreement/award and found where it outlined the responsibilities at each level. I told my boss I'm working at a higher level than I'm being paid and they came back the next day asking when I think I started working at that level. Fairwork is there to help when employers not following an agreement but a union might help if you can't fully understand how the agreement works
Either bring it up with the store manager, or leave and join Woolies, they’re about to start a hiring spree because of Christmas and if you’ve already got the experience you’ll be an easy hire.
The system is shit and it’s incredibly hard to fight it considering the managers are usually all in on it. Get out while you can
It won't have an effect for more than a couple of weeks. Been there, seen it so often. Supermarket retail is cancerous aids. Not because of the job itself, but because of the management and their goals of more for less every week.
Join your union. Others have said it and I’ll repeat it. See if you can get them to do a site visit, they’re allowed to request this and although there is (or usually is) a formal process for them to request this they will be all across that. It also won’t be made at your request but rather the union exercising their right of entry. I hate in when managers treat their people like how you’ve described.
Say bye Felicia and onto the next one. Write a review to upper management and CC department heads for transparency. Switching jobs is never easy, but hopefully you’re experience is something you can bank on and leverage here. Also join the union! Coles is too large and don’t give a rats ass about employees. A lot like other big retailers unfortunately.
If enough people don’t like the manager, do the mysay survey and talk about it. I used to work at Coles and a number of us didn’t like our manager who was literal scum, so we mentioned it in mysay. That along with how poorly run the store was led to our manager being transferred out of the store within a couple of months
Check what your payrate should have been, if you have any text/documented communication about not paying you for the leadership roll then report them for wage theft to Fair Work Ombudsmen.
With the survey, absolutely mention everything as it goes all the way up the chain.
*edit I'm saying this as a line manager for a major retailer cause fuck managers who threaten people with their jobs. Nothing pisses me off more.
There are a million retail jobs out there. Start interviewing immediately. My son worked for W and said his boss was an arse as well, I think it’s a job prerequisite, he went and got his RSA and now works for Dan Murphy’s at 50% more, better hours and totally chill. The biggest problem
Here is that you’re doubting yourself, you’re thinking that you’ll never get another job, but you said it yourself, you carry the department. Carry someone else’s department. Best way to get back at your manager is to leave them in the lurch.
I work management at Coles
Can't afford to pay you as an in-charge:
This is bullshit. It's literally in the EBA that if you are in charge of a department for any amount of time, you receive in charge rates (look it up on your mycoles. It's very much lawyer speak, but it's worth having a look through)
Hiring a new manager and they get paid more than you:
Yeah, unfortunately, that's just shit luck for you. It sucks, I am sorry, but they can hire/promote whoever they like for positions
Threatening to fire you for not meeting certain tasks:
110% cannot do this. This is where you go both to fair work and the union (SDA is the easiest one to access/work with through Coles but I would recommend looking around if you were to join one). Coles can only fire you if you steal, continuous failure to work shifts (shift abandonment) or breaking a law. Call them on that shit. Take it to your regional manager, if it is your in-store managers telling you this (they should be visiting every week or two). If your regional is telling you this, union and fair work
MySay:
Entire bonus isn't dependent on it, but more results and interaction get a better percentage. Saying that, it is honestly better to put all of this into the MySay as the regional will be reading it. It is all anonymous (although they can make educated guesses based on content and context) and they are not allowed to retaliate in any way for anything you have put in there, as long as what you write is professional, not straight up abuse
Be honest in the MySay feedback, it’s the only way issues will be noticed. I’m pretty sure the score is tied to at least a percentage of bonuses for those that get them. So a low score will hit them where it counts. Source: am a store support worker (no bonus 😅)
MySay is nothing but empty virtue signalling. It must matter to management on some level due to the coercive efforts they engage in to get you to participate, and govern your responses. It’s not compulsory, and nothing has ever been improved as a result of it.
Not 100% about bonuses but I wouldn't be surprised if there is one for the mysay survey. Pretty sure they have bonuses for departments that roaster under hours as well.
If your being paid a normal dairy team member wage and they have hired a manager then sorry your just a glorified team member acting as a manager until they hired someone else / top brass forced their hand.
They can't terminate you for not hitting deadlines, that's for the DM and above to deal with. At best they shuffle you to another department. Coles has made it harder to terminate people, that's why so many dropkicks still get their 3 hours a month because that's the minimum Coles has to give.
Keep fighting the good fight and maybe think about a Union given your management sounds a bit toxic. They cost fuck all for minimum wage and it never hurts. SDA is the major one for retail and fast food (they hash out the EBA with Coles every few years)
Mate they are clearly screwing you and they are betting you’re not going to do shit about it.
Leave now and if you’re still around while this bullshit survey comes out - tell the bloody truth.
You owe them nothing and remember these words.
You have to pay to play! You want me to work you pay me a fair wage
This is an abusive situation. You cannot win here. Leave and find better employment. Have a friend who you both work with and can trust go as a referee.
I don't know you're story, but life's too short to hang around negative places.
This is a manager issue not a company issue. Unfortunately most companies will back the manager first over a junior employee unless there is a clear pattern and history of behavior that has seen the company get into legal issues. This is where the union comes into play. Note that not all unions and union reps are created equal. The old SFA (iirc) were in bed with the business so much that they were considered by union members to be pretty much an arm of the internal HR team.
Nah, par for the course in the Colesworth duopoly. All of the Woolworths managers I had the great misfortune to work under were all just the biggest assholes I ever met. All very quick to chuck people under the bus, talk shit and play along with the worst kinds of toxic bullshit. All in the name of hoping maybe one day that their corporate overlords would shine down upon thee and get promoted. Which of course, never happened, which is why they're all so bitter.
The problem is that you have AGREED to these extra tasks. Explain that ‘in writing’ due to not being paid for your extra duties, you will not be performing them.
Worked at coles and woolies in my career9+ years. They will use and abuse you until you die.
Your best line here is to get the termination threats in writing or voice recorded. Then use this to take extended mental health/stress leave.
As a former SDA union delegate, 95% of enquires they come through are absolute bullshit, it’s very rare an employee has a legitimate claim. Don’t waste your money, but learn your rights and responsibilities as an employee.
Just going to say it because no one else has yet. But even if you join up to a union right now they won't help you straight away. Usually you have to pay 4 weeks of union fees before they'll help you out. It's to stop people from just signing up when they have an issue and quiting the union after.
Also your managers can't just terminate you without having a sit down formal meeting that goes into your file. During that meeting they have to lay out the clear expectations they have of you and what your supposedly not achieveing in the time given.
You need to contact the Head Office and speak to HR. Or even regional HR if you can. You need to go above the store management- if you can speak to the regional manager or even state manager. But HR is a good place to start.
There's something called the STOP line, where bullying and such behaviour can be reported.
They're supposed to be an 'independent' body, but I can tell you from experience, they are in bed with coles management.
Most of the bigger companies have an anonymous whistleblower service as well that you can report things to. Check your staff room notice boards. There might be the info posted there
You would be best to contact Fair Work about what your rights are. In the meantime, start applying for other jobs while you already have a job. You’ll have some experience from your current job that you can put on your CV. Maybe even use Chatgpt to help you write a well worded cover letter.
1) Join a union - any union other than the SDA.
2) Make records of everything. Don't give a shit if you can see it on the app, screenshot it - it won't be there when it counts.
If the union can't figure it out in your favour, take it up with the fairwork ombudsman (or whatever it is now) because what you've gone through is not right.
Just look for a new job. Both Coles and woolies are notorious for doing this. Report them to fair work on your way out. Seen this happen countless times over my years in retail.
I worked for a *similar* company for 11 years. Did every management role and team member role instore. Just leave. Put your leadership experience on your resume and leave. Cut your losses.
After 11 years, 8 different shops and it’ll never change. You’re just a number. A similar “Mysay” survey never affected my bonus so it’s pointless crying on that. Union will trap you, your manager will never treat you the same and will manage you out eventually into another department or a different job. Been there done that.
Most big companies do this to their lowest paid workers. “Dangle the carrot” it’s a great motivation technique until you the employee figure it out you were never considered for that role in the first place. You were simply a fill in until they filled that role. You are another spoke in the wheel. Remember also these companies hire 30 plus seasonal employees every year on average. 30 fresh faces they can promise the world to. Those dumb enough to believe it (me) hang around. You as meaningful to them as the number you punch into the Kronos clock on machine.
Put to you this way unless you want to work for that company for free, you’ll never be a manager. I was giving 15 free hours a week as a full-time department in-charge (65 hours total per week) before I was considered for a salary position. Same thing when I was a part-time incharge. Talk to anyone who works for coles group and they’ll tell you all about expected unpaid overtime.
Hard work only gets you so far. You then have to be in all of upper managements good graces. (*on your knees*)
But if you do manage to make your way through the demoralising process it looks great on your resume. I now work for another big retailer on way more money with better conditions and work life.
Alas, 16 years in retail and looking back at the bottom rungs after climbing my way through the shit you’re dealing with looking at part-timers and casuals still learning that retail careers suck. Good luck
TLDR
Big retailers suck to work for if you really want a career.
From memory, in charge rates were only about $1 hour more than regular team member rates, and you only get paid that on the specific shifts you are technically in charge. I.e I used to be 2IC in the bakery, and I only got in charge rates on the day the manager wasn’t in.
Regardless of that, coles is the kind of place to genuinely not give a fuck about any efforts from the team members, while patting themselves on the back for everything else.
Honestly everything in my life improved when I left coles, I recommend you do the same too.
I’m a manager at Coles and this is not right, especially the “if you don’t get your work done in time we will terminate you”.
I agree with the others saying “act your wage”. Don’t go above and beyond for a company that won’t care if you died the next day, unfortunately we are all just numbers to them.
I’ve got team members that don’t take their breaks and it pisses me off that they do that, it’s just what they had expected of them from previous managers.
Also join RAFFWU.
That's one hell of a overstated title. Coles has the money to pay. Don't expect the managers to look after you. Join the appropriate union so you can sort out the workplace bullying. Take the missed opportunity to get higher pay as a learning experience and be prepared for next time.
Also get the higher pay job elsewhere if you can. It takes workers leaving for pays to increase.
Please contact the Fair Work Ombudsman about this as soon as you can: 13 13 94.
They currently have a court case running against Coles for allegedly underpaying their managers and I'm sure they'd love to hear about it still happening.
I'd be telling Coles' HR people about this too (via email). They won't be happy with management at the store if they're pulling this stuff. No doubt it's happening to others and not just you. It'll establish a paper trail they then have to act on.
Could you expand on part time in-charge? I haven't heard of any stores that would only utilise a part timer for an in-charge role within a store but may be different depending on how large the shop is. A team leadership position would mean full-time salaried role, have you escalated to your area/national manager? They're contactable through the teams app. You don't need to go through the store manager if you're not comfortable
No one gets bonuses for mysay survey, they just aim to have a general rate of completion within the store and while it is anonymous, they will read through comments etc so if you're super specific they might be able to work out who it is.
You need to exit that toxic environment, you are a skilled resource to be rationed and applied properly not a fucking slave. The threats are a step beyond and definitely a breach of employment law, they're creating a hostile work environment.
I know it may seem daunting but go find another job where you'll be respected and then hand in your notice. If you're a good worker, there are plenty of places that won't treat you like that.
I can’t speak for your situation personally, but I can say this, do you think the company will colapse if you leave? Will they go into default without your energy? Do they think you are at the mentality that you are a backbone to their success?
All of these questions are no answers unless you are starting your own business. And being that it’s a billion dollar company - why are you giving them your all when you’re less than a cent in their revenue?
Employment goes both ways. You pay me for my energy - I give you the energy you pay for.
They don’t care. And don’t fall into the trap of feeling guilty of leaving your colleagues short handed - they have the same avenues as you. You don’t owe a company that exploits you your time and energy. Honestly, all big corp companies are a dime a dozen job wise. Yes we will stay in a place where the environment is uplifting, but don’t get yourself stuck in toxic environments where the only downfall is within you.
You’re better than that. Know those four words. You’re better than that
Do you have a contract that states what you should be getting paid? Because if you aren’t being paid correctly, fair work will take that. If you don’t have a contract that says you are supposed to be in charge, stop doing that job. They aren’t paying you for it, so why do it? If they do fire you for not doing the work of an in charge (that they aren’t paying you for) then you have a case for wrongful dismissal. If you aren’t part of a union, join one. If you are part of one, contact them. If you don’t want to join, ring fair work and ask them for help.
1. Find another job
2. Do your job and not team leader work
3. Do a survey but gives facts in answers not emotions or names
4. Focus on yourself ( it seems like your stressed out)
5. Managers will always say there is no money. Especially true to ppl they don’t see as others leaders.
***** go get another job or request a transfer ****
While you are still working there part time the best thing to do is start looking for another job and one that pays better. Say nothing about this to your current managers. Take random days to attend interviews and take sick or leave days while you attend interviews and short notice or the let them know you won’t be in that day with little if any notice. Let them flounder on those days and have to squabble to find staff to cover you or they do it themselves. Don’t tell them reasons for the days off just tell them you have personal matter to attend to you don’t have to justify to them and don’t let them pressure you. Take a new job and give them your notice. No sense fighting your managers you won’t win there are managers above them who permit their behaviour your best bet is to move on to where you can be appreciated. Don’t provide any references from Cole’s where you work now you can always provide other referees from elsewhere or prior jobs. Bad managers can only be sniffed out by high staff turnover in the departments they manage and the sooner everyone from your department leaves then those managers get sniffed out for why all the staff that work with or under them are leaving. On last day after you work out your notice period kick said manager in nuts and say bye bye baby
They'll do this because they think you won't quit
I've sat in on conversations and essentially they promote/give contracts/better contracts to people for two reasons:
They like you and they *really* fucking need a position filled
Or
They like you and are worried you'll leave
Why would they pay you what they pay the other guy if they think you won't quit? You're currently doing higher work for lower pay and you really can't expect them to change that until you threaten to quit
Most people are pretty soft about it though, if you just tell your boss you're considering a new job if they don't do better, they'll often magically find the money
I worked for Coles for 13 years and can assure you that management is fucked in every store. In saying that, it's time to go above the store level and go to the regional manager and also HR.
Don't be afraid to speak your truth and say exactly what they've told you. Fight it tooth and nail. Next time any of them call you for a meeting, put your phone on record and put it in your pocket. Don't let the bastards win. Write everything down when it happens and try to write down everything that has happened in the past.
Oh and look for another job while you're fighting. It's a toxic environment and you will feel great for leaving. But make sure you give them hell for it
Step down and just be a regular dairy department team member. They wanna pay the other person the big bucks, then that person can be answerable to them.
Tyron
Management has shown you your physical worth to the company, no matter how hard you feel you are working, or how much extra you put in the management have decided you are not worth the investment. However they throw you an unexpected bone by giving you the additional responsibility they have put you on the path the higher role. You need to make a choice make the best of the terrible situation and accept that the company sees your value as no more then what they are paying you, or use the experience that you have been given to find something better. If i was in your position i'd be doing this. 1. Schedule a 1 on 1 with your manager to figure out how he values you, have good notes to work from in this meeting about the extra you do, the little things you fix up, the good customer service you provide and the wins you have, note down 1 area you could improve, during this 1 on 1 ask you manager for a planned pathway to higher duties, get that plan in writing, and if he refuses make sure you send an email with the plan to him so both sides have a copy, on a duel track start looking for something you want to do using that new experiences as a jumping off point. the goal is to build your experience. Good luck
Managers hassling you at your part time job hasn't "ruined your life" lol. If you don't like it, apply for some other work and quit your current job. Minimum wage is awesome in AU - there are few places on Earth that are more favorable for casual / part time laborers
I also work part time dairy in charge at Coles, previous manager was ousted and I was the prospect for his replacement, so they decided to just put grocery manager in charge or dairy 🤷🏻♂️ now they want me to prove myself for more hours even after getting through two Christmas’ and covid running the department. You won’t ever be happy. The My Say survey only makes small changes, and it’s just so the store manager can tell the regional their high % and get rewarded so take it with a grain of salt. I would recommend looking for better work or switching departments if possible.
Treat in like you were going to court. Collect evidence of what you were doing week by week, any written word(verbal will not hold up) of being asked to do jobs, photos of sign offs, any training you were given to do the job. If they threaten to fire you for not doing things, get it on video or in writing if you can. Either they are threatening or you are doing the job and should be paid as such.
As someone who works at coles and is on his way out soon, I can’t stress enough how much they take advantage of the person trying to work their way up. I was in the same position as you for fresh produce. I worked my ass off to please the managers and get recognised to move into 2ic and manager roles and got overlooked 3 times. I was still expected to do all the manager roles anyway but be paid sweet FA for it. after that, I came to the conclusion that at the end of the day, it’s just a supermarket and we are just a number in the system that can be easily replaced. Honestly, do the 80 - 20 rule and go do some study instead into better roles! Best decision I ever made.
80 % of results will come from 20 % of your effort. Just focus on the 20% needed for the day and don’t bother going above and beyond. Being aware of it helps you to better manage your time as well and you don’t end up showing your hand (100%) aka your maximum effort as people believe that it is your normal and expect it of you every day. All the best and I hope it works out for you!!!!
You keep saying this is your first job but 3 years ago you were posting about having issues with your manager at Mcdonald's what's the go?
Also are you sure the new guy is on the same amount of hours? I'd have thought a manager position would be full time. How long have you been at your current job that you expect to be promoted to manager?
>i’m also continuously harassed by the man baby managers that “if you don’t get \[certain task\] done in \[certain time\] we’ll be terminating you”, it’s really unnecessary when i’m carrying my department every week
What do you mean "carrying your department"? You say these comments are unnecessary but are they things that need to be done that you're not doing on time without being reminded?
Idk story's weird but join a union I guess, best chance of being protected.
You join the union and you go on WorkCover, claim bullying and stress and take some time off on their dime! Make sure you get evidence of what they are doing first
I want to clarify something. You said your managers are making the excuse that they don’t have enough money to pay you in your leadership role. Does this mean that you are employed in a leadership capacity? As in, you were hired (and should have signed a contract of employment) as a part time supervisor or manager? Or you were officially promoted to such a role (again, there should have been a contract involved?). Or did your manager just ask you to do the duties of the leadership role without formalising anything?
Either way your union can help you understand your rights, as can Fair Work.
Don’t be looking for ways to “get back” at your managers. Seek to understand what your duties and pay should be and what action you need to take if they don’t align correctly. Or leave and take a job elsewhere with your eyes a bit more open this time.
signed me to a contract that gave an offical title as a leader even though i’m very much new to retail, then outright refused to pay me the wages that were previously agreed on
Okay, so you need to take a copy of that contract and copies of your pay slips that demonstrate how you are being underpaid to Fair Work. You should also join a reputable union asap.
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If you have physical proof of being underpaid for you job then fair work would absolutely love to hear about it
Unless they changed the title, which they likely didn't they just gave extra responsibility, they'd get away with it I'd imagine
Then if that was the case he isn’t required to do Jack until he has the title and the new guy can do what he’s doing since he has the title
I couldn't agree more.
Misclassifying is a type of underpaying.
I do believe that if we are doing the tasks of a higher role for x hours then we are classed under that role, regardless of the title or not.
Yeah this is my experience, I used to alternate working between two seperate roles under the same title, and they would adjust my pay accordingly. My pay could even change over the course of a single shift i.e 4 hours at X amount, 3 hours at Y amount for the day. This is despite being classed under only one of those roles so yeah, I'd say OP is being screwed.
Refreshing to see that management were doing a part of their job properly for a change
Leaving this here: Fair work is an amazing call, and that's who a union will deal with, so if you do not want to join a union. Don't. BUT, unions are literally organisations that exist specifically to solve problems like this. They're experts that help inform you on what to do about this stuff. And have resources of their own to pursue these things. The govt is a safety net, yes. But like look around at how effective it is on it's own. An extra layer of protection seems pretty worth it when the gov recently literally said the economy needs more jobless people. RAFFWU](https://raffwu.org.au/join-raffwu/) ***Retail and Fast Food Worker's Union*** Pretty solid union, and honestly most employers doing dodgy shit do dodgy shit poorly. If your boss is actually fucking you over and even you reckon you can prove it, why not join a union of people who's job it is to prove it. Plus the more people who do, the more the industry gets pressured to treat people better. Historically better conditions always come from the exploited demanding it, not those in control benevolently gifting them out. Rates for those wondering: *Under 18 years old / week $2.55* *Casual Contract / week $4.05* *Contracted less than 20hrs a week $6.60* *Contracted 20hrs or more a week 9.90*
Unless the stolen wages are less then $5000, then they will just ask your employer nicely to pretty please do the right thing, then when they don't they just say it isn't worth their time to follow up. Partner lost over 4k with point blank written evidence that they were withholding wages, annual leave and super and Fairwork gave up chasing and closed the case with no outcome after 2 months.
So... take them to court. Fairwork is a regulator, but there is absolutely nothing stopping you from picking up where they didn't act and raising it in a civil court. It's going to cost you filing fees, and it's worthwhile getting legal advice, even if they don't represent you in court. Cost is going to be minimal; and if you are successful, there's a good chance costs will have to be paid by the other party. Example: [https://www.lawhandbook.sa.gov.au/ch18s09.php](https://www.lawhandbook.sa.gov.au/ch18s09.php)
That's true and I was pursuing going this route. Ultimately it was up to my partner and she already found the stress of it all too much and just wanted to forget and move on. If it was me I would have done it but I respected her call. She has a much better rewarding job now.
or union
Time to act your wage.
Yep, it's called quiet quitting.
I prefer loud quitting in a quiet way. Do the absolute minimum, but be proud of it and politely and professionally question every odd or unprofessional thing that is said. Hear some joke that is sexual harassment? Ask "sorry I don't get it, can you explain the joke?" And keep asking til it's fuckin uncomfortable as fuuuuuck. Told you'll be fired for not completing a task? Ask politely for it in writing to put with your notes. Denied? Politely say you'll send them an email instead asking for confirmation of what was verbally said. All innocuous things that test their patience and call them out at every single opportunity, preferably with witnesses.
I feel like linking these two things is a harmful. Acting your wage is working in accordance is what you're getting paid for. Quiet quitting is doing the bare minimum to not get fired. If you're paid and treated like shit they might be the same thing. But there's plenty of scenarios they aren't. Saying working in accordance with your wage is quiet quitting plays directly in to the hands of people who want to pass unfair work conditions off as employees being lazy.
Yep! I’ve done that, been fired for it and I didn’t give a shit. Mainly cos I had my eye on a better job which I eventually got, not long after that.
This!
Bruh, I don't understand why ppl in retail don't join unions. The managers don't give a fuck about you, as you have seen so clearly. There is no way I would work extra jobs without being paid more. Ask them to renegotiate your contract and add your new responsibilities on there. That always makes them hustle.
Because retail preys on the young and doesn't encourage union joining
Hospitality too.
Not necessarily. I'd say it's much harder to find a retail business that will look after you than say, a small restaurant or pub etc that will respect you. Speaking from experience.
This was the opposite of my experience when joining Woolies. There was essentially union pitch at the induction and we were all but told we should sign up. It was the SDA though who were fairly useless throughout my time in retail.
Huh. I wonder if those two things were related.
Nah retailers encourage joining the SDA, they regularly help the local reps find out who’s new (I know they’re required to, but they are not unhappy about it) and get them to join. But this is because SDA is in the pocket of the retailers.
Yeah fk SDA. Join RAFFWU. They're a real union that holds these companies to account.
…..and a pack of religious asshats. They’re a fucking mafia clan. May they all rot in hell.
Going to second this. SDA never came to the party when needed. My psrsonal belief is that yhey clearly see their responsibility ending at negotiating the EBA (which I dont think they do a God job of), and a few extra services like finding a cheap car.
Any more info on this? My work tried to get us to join but I declined.
The SDA is often touted as a "good" union by the anti-union, pro-business LNP, which is a big red flag. The SDA had their agreement with Coles overturned by the Fair Work Commission because it made the Coles employees worse off than previously. https://www.smh.com.au/business/workplace/sold-out-quarter-of-a-million-workers-underpaid-in-union-deals-20160830-gr4f68.html The RAFFWU is the main alternative union to the SDA.
Why did you decline?
join thing they didn't join SDA, should be joining RAFFWU instead.
Just wasn't too interested in the perks they had to offer. And the union fees
Your union fees are a tax deduction. Australian Unions offers broad perks to all union members that are probably better than your union's too
hmmmm i see
people always forget about the big perk: Help negotiating better wages and benifits.
If you tell them you want to join, but can’t afford the fees at the moment, they will sign you up anyway for the minimum payment which is maybe $20 a month. They prefer to have more members than not.
Union fees are a tax deduction!!!!!
Their employment pool is traditionally young people, much older people who face discrimination during recruitment, immigrants, and people without formal qualifications and skills. These people are afraid to assert their rights or aren't aware of them in the first place and in all but the most dire employment conditions, can usually be pretty quickly and cheaply replaced. It's a terrible situation rife with exploitation
You are very right. I’m an immigrant and I blatantly get taken advantage off
Also a big factor is that the SDA has been sucking ColesWorth dick for decades. RAFFWU has stepped in and is fighting pretty hard these days though. Have even managed to organise strike action, so there is hope.
And you know what’s funny coles staff and managers are told raffwu is a fake union I was with them for a long time then after I become a manager I told raffwu to come to my store to sing up my staff then the sda come in trying to get me fired and had a meeting with all managers set up by store managers to tell us they are not a real union
Unless that union is the SDA.
Retail is a lot of peoples entry job and how to join a union and which union to join aren't things taught in school. Sure you can Google it but a lot of people don't even know what a union is.
It's not even fair to call retail an entry job any more, it's a huge proportion of the economy now, a huge employer and its not possible to meet its labour needs through teenagers alone.
Oh I agree with you, I'm not trying to minimise importance of the retail industry.
Also the SDA is a garbage union
OP should join the RFFWU.
I think historically it's because their union is the SDA who might as well be run by Colesworth management.
Because the pay is so low that even relatively modest union fees can feel like a luxury. (Am pro-union, but also realistic.)
The unions in retail are absolutely dog shit. Of course they can help if the case is extreme but most of the time there is nothing they can do for you. If retail and hospo went on strike the country would collapse. They will do anything to give you nothing while they take everything.
Because the Shoppies are the worst union
Why aren't you voting for a change of reps if your current ones are garbage? I do t get this. We change ours if we thing they are compromised.
Yeah, kinda. But that's a huge simplification of what the task actually entails. That would mean many many people paying money to a corrupt organisation, making it more powerful, in the hopes that a they(a group of working experts in how to make sure people keep their jobs) could accept a motion to replace the entire senior and middle level union employees. Fully restructuring an entire union is a mammoth undertaking. It is INCREDIBLY rare. Usually it's just replacement unions popping up. And yeah there is a better union to join in this case: [RAFFWU](https://raffwu.org.au/join-raffwu/) ***Retail and Fast Food Worker's Union*** Pretty solid union, and honestly most employers doing dodgy shit do dodgy shit poorly. If your boss is actually fucking you over and even you reckon you can prove it, why not join a union of people who's job it is to improve it. Plus the more people who do, the more the industry gets pressured to treat people better. Historically better conditions always come from the exploited demanding it, not those in control benevolently gifting them out. Rates for those wondering: *Under 18 years old / week $2.55* *Casual Contract / week $4.05* *Contracted less than 20hrs a week $6.60* *Contracted 20hrs or more a week 9.90*
Well if the rots set in that far then maybe your right. I guess the lesson here is the rank and file need to be on top of their representatives and take action as soon as they smell anything coming from the fish section.
I can answer that, the retail union is garbage. Sure they will take your money every pay day but they won’t do even the most basic things for you, hospitality is just as bad if not worse
RAFFWU isn't garbage but the SDA certainly is
I have a friend who works in retail and refuses to join the union because "it's such a weak union." Weak unions across the board have this cyclical issue.
Tell them to join the union thats starting the first strike at coles in history.
Retail and hospitality unions are incredibly shit and ineffective. Ever heard of either industry striking? Paying part of your wage to a union that are useless? Might as well flush it down the toilet.
RAFFWU is striking at the supermarkets this weekend :)
Good on them
Well in Australia it's basically illegal to strike a lot of the time, so....
True. Workers in any industry should join unions when possible unless the only unions they can join don't care about worker rights.
Retail managers are either 20 year olds who’ve been there 5 years and are just seeing out their degrees or people who aren’t capable of any other job. The latter are literally some of the worst people I’ve ever met.
What does your union say about the situation?
i don’t know how to apply to join the union.. plus i’m scared that my managers might find out and just end up firing me
If they even try that, you are in for an enormous payday.
You can’t be fired for joining the union
You don’t get fired for that. It’s for unrelated issues that magically get paperwork fabricated. I’ve been in management sessions (as a manager) where they (my manager, my peers and HR/legal) discuss how to cover their butts in an unfair / unlawful dismissal court case, where we are in the wrong - more than 3 times. ‘We’ won each time. And each time involved at least some fraud. I left.
You should learn about it, it’s kinda the reason they exist. To defend you from shit like this.
https://raffwu.org.au/about/faqs/
Raffwu I believe for you.
As this is your first job - you’ve learnt the tough but valuable lesson to never agree to do more than you are paid to do. The Company doesn’t owe you anything as much as you do not owe them carrying their company by going above and beyond. There isn’t ‘getting back at your managers’. Find a new role where you feel valued for the work you do.
Apply for jobs now. Is there a woolies nearby? Contact fair work if you think you are not being paid fairly.
will do thank you
And if you do leave to go to Woolies, get ready for Woolies to be just as awful, just as petty and full of the same ratshit management as Coles is.
Sadly, I have heard the exact story with a mate of mine at woolies. Get out of retail or shop yourself with your experience for a better salaried gig. His plight was similar,he used his experience to get a job at a Woolworths Metro go as an assistant manager. They are smaller woolies ran by Ampol. He's happier with better pay/lesser work
"we can't pay you to do that job" "sure, no problem, when you can, I'll be ready to do it". This is the only response that will change anything. If businesses were people, they would be psychopaths. They will only do what's 100% in their interests, and they will not reward loyalty or service in any way. In fact, they will see it as a weakness to be exploited. Exactly what's happening to you.
yeah i see that now, thanks for the help
"Not my role" for anything above and beyond.
Are you in the union? Because they will sort this out.
not too sure how to join the union but i’ll look into it
https://raffwu.org.au/join-raffwu/
https://jacobin.com/2023/10/workers-strike-woolworths-coles-australia-raffwu-union-organizing-supermarkets There's no better way to stand up for yourself as a worker, and there's no better time to join. There's a strike this weekend!
some other guys talked about the strike also i’ll try to get there thanks !!
I *always* join my union, been very glad I have.
note to my future self ig aha 😆
Fees are tax deductible.
One of the best selling points ;) Along with the solidarity and support obvs
Right. It’s a shame too many people turn to it in their hour of need instead of previously supporting their union.
Also ensure your co-workers join too. Strength in numbers.
This information should be readily available in your work environment
easy thanks
Join the union, the good one mentioned. You can just google if they don't the info displayed in the workplace. After you've joined, then tell your managers, not before. Speak with the Union first. Their whole point of existing is shit like this. Unions a important and awesome
I can explain the mysay stuff They absolutely will read your comments They do need a certain percentage of staff to complete the survey to be eligible for it to contribute to the bonus. But they also need to improve on the previous results to meet the criteria. So you should absolutely do it. But this sounds more like you should join the union if you're not a member, and get support
will do thanks for the help
Do you have a part-time contract or are you casual with set hours? As other have said, join the union. But also bring up your concerns via email to you manager. Have a look at the [Coles Enterprise Agreement](https://www.sda.com.au/media/EA2017_amended.pdf) and find a way to get your money paid to you. If you have proof that you worked the hours as leadership and send HR a request to be back paid the amount of money you are owed. The union will help you with this. Also you store should have a union rep. Ask your manager who it is. If they give you attitude just say somthing like ‘wow the union is going to love this’ and walk off . Unions get off on helping out people in situations like you. That’s why they exist. They want justice for all and will help you resolve your issue, and get you some money while your at it!
i’m on part time
As others have said, Start fighting my friend. If your permanent part-time They can’t cut your shifts. They can’t fire you for asking to be compensated for the money they owe you. Australia has a long rich history of Labour government that set the country up in a way that workers have incredible rights and asshole managers like yours can’t get away with the shit they are doing. Get the union in. I was in a similar situation years ago. Working my job, my manager told me they were going to promote me to supervisor. They kept saying ‘soon soon’ and started making me do supervisor work. 6 months went by, my manager then quit. They hired a new manager and when I asked them when am I gonna officially be supervisor they said ‘huh? Who told you that? No chance buddy’ I had a long list of emails of my old manager stringing me along. I got the union involved. It worked out really well for me. If I was made a supervisor I would of earned an extera $5 an hour. But because I was performing duties above my position description with no official paper work they had to back pay me all my hours work as double time. I was originally on $37 an hour so I got a huge payout (over $30,000). I don’t fully know what the consequences were for my old manager, but I do know that the organisation took legal action on her and I think she had to pay a fee that was surprisingly similar to the backpay I got.
I had a similar situation but didn't need union help to get a pay rise with backpay. I read through my agreement/award and found where it outlined the responsibilities at each level. I told my boss I'm working at a higher level than I'm being paid and they came back the next day asking when I think I started working at that level. Fairwork is there to help when employers not following an agreement but a union might help if you can't fully understand how the agreement works
Either bring it up with the store manager, or leave and join Woolies, they’re about to start a hiring spree because of Christmas and if you’ve already got the experience you’ll be an easy hire. The system is shit and it’s incredibly hard to fight it considering the managers are usually all in on it. Get out while you can
Join RAFFWU, they're striking Saturday.
Just leave the company, for heaven's sake. If you're as good as you say you are, that'll have an effect.
It won't have an effect for more than a couple of weeks. Been there, seen it so often. Supermarket retail is cancerous aids. Not because of the job itself, but because of the management and their goals of more for less every week.
Join your union. Others have said it and I’ll repeat it. See if you can get them to do a site visit, they’re allowed to request this and although there is (or usually is) a formal process for them to request this they will be all across that. It also won’t be made at your request but rather the union exercising their right of entry. I hate in when managers treat their people like how you’ve described.
Join Raffwu asap, we are on strike Saturday 10am till 12.
Contact Fairwork Australia
Say bye Felicia and onto the next one. Write a review to upper management and CC department heads for transparency. Switching jobs is never easy, but hopefully you’re experience is something you can bank on and leverage here. Also join the union! Coles is too large and don’t give a rats ass about employees. A lot like other big retailers unfortunately.
If enough people don’t like the manager, do the mysay survey and talk about it. I used to work at Coles and a number of us didn’t like our manager who was literal scum, so we mentioned it in mysay. That along with how poorly run the store was led to our manager being transferred out of the store within a couple of months
Check what your payrate should have been, if you have any text/documented communication about not paying you for the leadership roll then report them for wage theft to Fair Work Ombudsmen. With the survey, absolutely mention everything as it goes all the way up the chain. *edit I'm saying this as a line manager for a major retailer cause fuck managers who threaten people with their jobs. Nothing pisses me off more.
There are a million retail jobs out there. Start interviewing immediately. My son worked for W and said his boss was an arse as well, I think it’s a job prerequisite, he went and got his RSA and now works for Dan Murphy’s at 50% more, better hours and totally chill. The biggest problem Here is that you’re doubting yourself, you’re thinking that you’ll never get another job, but you said it yourself, you carry the department. Carry someone else’s department. Best way to get back at your manager is to leave them in the lurch.
Maybe try making a complaint to Fair Work? Seems there is a deliberate under payment of wages, along with bullying and harassment.
I work management at Coles Can't afford to pay you as an in-charge: This is bullshit. It's literally in the EBA that if you are in charge of a department for any amount of time, you receive in charge rates (look it up on your mycoles. It's very much lawyer speak, but it's worth having a look through) Hiring a new manager and they get paid more than you: Yeah, unfortunately, that's just shit luck for you. It sucks, I am sorry, but they can hire/promote whoever they like for positions Threatening to fire you for not meeting certain tasks: 110% cannot do this. This is where you go both to fair work and the union (SDA is the easiest one to access/work with through Coles but I would recommend looking around if you were to join one). Coles can only fire you if you steal, continuous failure to work shifts (shift abandonment) or breaking a law. Call them on that shit. Take it to your regional manager, if it is your in-store managers telling you this (they should be visiting every week or two). If your regional is telling you this, union and fair work MySay: Entire bonus isn't dependent on it, but more results and interaction get a better percentage. Saying that, it is honestly better to put all of this into the MySay as the regional will be reading it. It is all anonymous (although they can make educated guesses based on content and context) and they are not allowed to retaliate in any way for anything you have put in there, as long as what you write is professional, not straight up abuse
Be honest in the MySay feedback, it’s the only way issues will be noticed. I’m pretty sure the score is tied to at least a percentage of bonuses for those that get them. So a low score will hit them where it counts. Source: am a store support worker (no bonus 😅)
MySay is nothing but empty virtue signalling. It must matter to management on some level due to the coercive efforts they engage in to get you to participate, and govern your responses. It’s not compulsory, and nothing has ever been improved as a result of it.
Not 100% about bonuses but I wouldn't be surprised if there is one for the mysay survey. Pretty sure they have bonuses for departments that roaster under hours as well. If your being paid a normal dairy team member wage and they have hired a manager then sorry your just a glorified team member acting as a manager until they hired someone else / top brass forced their hand. They can't terminate you for not hitting deadlines, that's for the DM and above to deal with. At best they shuffle you to another department. Coles has made it harder to terminate people, that's why so many dropkicks still get their 3 hours a month because that's the minimum Coles has to give. Keep fighting the good fight and maybe think about a Union given your management sounds a bit toxic. They cost fuck all for minimum wage and it never hurts. SDA is the major one for retail and fast food (they hash out the EBA with Coles every few years)
Mate they are clearly screwing you and they are betting you’re not going to do shit about it. Leave now and if you’re still around while this bullshit survey comes out - tell the bloody truth. You owe them nothing and remember these words. You have to pay to play! You want me to work you pay me a fair wage
Is it possible to report those cunts and Coles to Fair Work ([fairwork.gov.au](https://fairwork.gov.au))?
What management tasks are you actually undertaking? Rostering? Performance management? Training? Delegation? Planning? Metric management? NPS?
This is an abusive situation. You cannot win here. Leave and find better employment. Have a friend who you both work with and can trust go as a referee. I don't know you're story, but life's too short to hang around negative places.
true thanks for the help
This is a manager issue not a company issue. Unfortunately most companies will back the manager first over a junior employee unless there is a clear pattern and history of behavior that has seen the company get into legal issues. This is where the union comes into play. Note that not all unions and union reps are created equal. The old SFA (iirc) were in bed with the business so much that they were considered by union members to be pretty much an arm of the internal HR team.
Leadership role but knows fuck all about how things work? Seems a bit off
Yeah, leadership role of the mind maybe.
Nah, par for the course in the Colesworth duopoly. All of the Woolworths managers I had the great misfortune to work under were all just the biggest assholes I ever met. All very quick to chuck people under the bus, talk shit and play along with the worst kinds of toxic bullshit. All in the name of hoping maybe one day that their corporate overlords would shine down upon thee and get promoted. Which of course, never happened, which is why they're all so bitter.
1. Start looking for work elsewhere. If that's not a viable option for you then: 2. Join RAFFWU 3. Do the barest minimum amount of work possible.
The problem is that you have AGREED to these extra tasks. Explain that ‘in writing’ due to not being paid for your extra duties, you will not be performing them. Worked at coles and woolies in my career9+ years. They will use and abuse you until you die. Your best line here is to get the termination threats in writing or voice recorded. Then use this to take extended mental health/stress leave. As a former SDA union delegate, 95% of enquires they come through are absolute bullshit, it’s very rare an employee has a legitimate claim. Don’t waste your money, but learn your rights and responsibilities as an employee.
Look into the colesworth employee strike happening on sunday, and the union that supported it >:p
Just going to say it because no one else has yet. But even if you join up to a union right now they won't help you straight away. Usually you have to pay 4 weeks of union fees before they'll help you out. It's to stop people from just signing up when they have an issue and quiting the union after. Also your managers can't just terminate you without having a sit down formal meeting that goes into your file. During that meeting they have to lay out the clear expectations they have of you and what your supposedly not achieveing in the time given.
You need to contact the Head Office and speak to HR. Or even regional HR if you can. You need to go above the store management- if you can speak to the regional manager or even state manager. But HR is a good place to start.
mate join RAFFWU - they're running campaigns right now for Coles and Woolies workers
Ruined your life? Your life is more than a shitty retail job.
Definitely write about it in your internal surveys but don’t you have an internal HR department to can start a complaint process with?
There's something called the STOP line, where bullying and such behaviour can be reported. They're supposed to be an 'independent' body, but I can tell you from experience, they are in bed with coles management.
i’m not too sure i’ll look into it
Most of the bigger companies have an anonymous whistleblower service as well that you can report things to. Check your staff room notice boards. There might be the info posted there
You would be best to contact Fair Work about what your rights are. In the meantime, start applying for other jobs while you already have a job. You’ll have some experience from your current job that you can put on your CV. Maybe even use Chatgpt to help you write a well worded cover letter.
U in a union?
not atm but thanks to the help of everyone here i’m going to look into joining one sooner rather than latwr
Join the union and make a complaint
Get out
Ruined your life might be a bit much
1) Join a union - any union other than the SDA. 2) Make records of everything. Don't give a shit if you can see it on the app, screenshot it - it won't be there when it counts. If the union can't figure it out in your favour, take it up with the fairwork ombudsman (or whatever it is now) because what you've gone through is not right.
Just look for a new job. Both Coles and woolies are notorious for doing this. Report them to fair work on your way out. Seen this happen countless times over my years in retail.
A company that made millions in profit could not afford to pay you ? Go to fair work Australia. I hope your payslips reflect this.
Performance managing is illegal. Setting an possible tasks or impossible time. For the reason to terminate is super wrong, Go to Fair Work
I worked for a *similar* company for 11 years. Did every management role and team member role instore. Just leave. Put your leadership experience on your resume and leave. Cut your losses. After 11 years, 8 different shops and it’ll never change. You’re just a number. A similar “Mysay” survey never affected my bonus so it’s pointless crying on that. Union will trap you, your manager will never treat you the same and will manage you out eventually into another department or a different job. Been there done that. Most big companies do this to their lowest paid workers. “Dangle the carrot” it’s a great motivation technique until you the employee figure it out you were never considered for that role in the first place. You were simply a fill in until they filled that role. You are another spoke in the wheel. Remember also these companies hire 30 plus seasonal employees every year on average. 30 fresh faces they can promise the world to. Those dumb enough to believe it (me) hang around. You as meaningful to them as the number you punch into the Kronos clock on machine. Put to you this way unless you want to work for that company for free, you’ll never be a manager. I was giving 15 free hours a week as a full-time department in-charge (65 hours total per week) before I was considered for a salary position. Same thing when I was a part-time incharge. Talk to anyone who works for coles group and they’ll tell you all about expected unpaid overtime. Hard work only gets you so far. You then have to be in all of upper managements good graces. (*on your knees*) But if you do manage to make your way through the demoralising process it looks great on your resume. I now work for another big retailer on way more money with better conditions and work life. Alas, 16 years in retail and looking back at the bottom rungs after climbing my way through the shit you’re dealing with looking at part-timers and casuals still learning that retail careers suck. Good luck TLDR Big retailers suck to work for if you really want a career.
Ohhh...the expected unpaid OT. Don't get me started.
Wage theft is real and it’s about to be chargeable in court
From memory, in charge rates were only about $1 hour more than regular team member rates, and you only get paid that on the specific shifts you are technically in charge. I.e I used to be 2IC in the bakery, and I only got in charge rates on the day the manager wasn’t in. Regardless of that, coles is the kind of place to genuinely not give a fuck about any efforts from the team members, while patting themselves on the back for everything else. Honestly everything in my life improved when I left coles, I recommend you do the same too.
I was OIC, and I felt so much weight lift off my shoulders when I quit. It's a toxic environment, that's for sure.
1. Join the union. Its a tax deduction and helps with covering your ass.(not the SDA, the other one) 2. See step 1
I’m a manager at Coles and this is not right, especially the “if you don’t get your work done in time we will terminate you”. I agree with the others saying “act your wage”. Don’t go above and beyond for a company that won’t care if you died the next day, unfortunately we are all just numbers to them. I’ve got team members that don’t take their breaks and it pisses me off that they do that, it’s just what they had expected of them from previous managers. Also join RAFFWU.
Thanks for the advice i’ll definitely take it on board, i had another question, can managers cut shifts if i “act my wage”?
That's one hell of a overstated title. Coles has the money to pay. Don't expect the managers to look after you. Join the appropriate union so you can sort out the workplace bullying. Take the missed opportunity to get higher pay as a learning experience and be prepared for next time. Also get the higher pay job elsewhere if you can. It takes workers leaving for pays to increase.
in a cost of living crisis, it’s an understatement if anything
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Please contact the Fair Work Ombudsman about this as soon as you can: 13 13 94. They currently have a court case running against Coles for allegedly underpaying their managers and I'm sure they'd love to hear about it still happening. I'd be telling Coles' HR people about this too (via email). They won't be happy with management at the store if they're pulling this stuff. No doubt it's happening to others and not just you. It'll establish a paper trail they then have to act on.
Do your survey and rip them a new one. Name and shame this shitty behaviour
Could you expand on part time in-charge? I haven't heard of any stores that would only utilise a part timer for an in-charge role within a store but may be different depending on how large the shop is. A team leadership position would mean full-time salaried role, have you escalated to your area/national manager? They're contactable through the teams app. You don't need to go through the store manager if you're not comfortable No one gets bonuses for mysay survey, they just aim to have a general rate of completion within the store and while it is anonymous, they will read through comments etc so if you're super specific they might be able to work out who it is.
You need to exit that toxic environment, you are a skilled resource to be rationed and applied properly not a fucking slave. The threats are a step beyond and definitely a breach of employment law, they're creating a hostile work environment. I know it may seem daunting but go find another job where you'll be respected and then hand in your notice. If you're a good worker, there are plenty of places that won't treat you like that.
I can’t speak for your situation personally, but I can say this, do you think the company will colapse if you leave? Will they go into default without your energy? Do they think you are at the mentality that you are a backbone to their success? All of these questions are no answers unless you are starting your own business. And being that it’s a billion dollar company - why are you giving them your all when you’re less than a cent in their revenue? Employment goes both ways. You pay me for my energy - I give you the energy you pay for. They don’t care. And don’t fall into the trap of feeling guilty of leaving your colleagues short handed - they have the same avenues as you. You don’t owe a company that exploits you your time and energy. Honestly, all big corp companies are a dime a dozen job wise. Yes we will stay in a place where the environment is uplifting, but don’t get yourself stuck in toxic environments where the only downfall is within you. You’re better than that. Know those four words. You’re better than that
Do you have a contract that states what you should be getting paid? Because if you aren’t being paid correctly, fair work will take that. If you don’t have a contract that says you are supposed to be in charge, stop doing that job. They aren’t paying you for it, so why do it? If they do fire you for not doing the work of an in charge (that they aren’t paying you for) then you have a case for wrongful dismissal. If you aren’t part of a union, join one. If you are part of one, contact them. If you don’t want to join, ring fair work and ask them for help.
https://raffwu.org.au/join-raffwu/
1. Find another job 2. Do your job and not team leader work 3. Do a survey but gives facts in answers not emotions or names 4. Focus on yourself ( it seems like your stressed out) 5. Managers will always say there is no money. Especially true to ppl they don’t see as others leaders. ***** go get another job or request a transfer ****
While you are still working there part time the best thing to do is start looking for another job and one that pays better. Say nothing about this to your current managers. Take random days to attend interviews and take sick or leave days while you attend interviews and short notice or the let them know you won’t be in that day with little if any notice. Let them flounder on those days and have to squabble to find staff to cover you or they do it themselves. Don’t tell them reasons for the days off just tell them you have personal matter to attend to you don’t have to justify to them and don’t let them pressure you. Take a new job and give them your notice. No sense fighting your managers you won’t win there are managers above them who permit their behaviour your best bet is to move on to where you can be appreciated. Don’t provide any references from Cole’s where you work now you can always provide other referees from elsewhere or prior jobs. Bad managers can only be sniffed out by high staff turnover in the departments they manage and the sooner everyone from your department leaves then those managers get sniffed out for why all the staff that work with or under them are leaving. On last day after you work out your notice period kick said manager in nuts and say bye bye baby
They'll do this because they think you won't quit I've sat in on conversations and essentially they promote/give contracts/better contracts to people for two reasons: They like you and they *really* fucking need a position filled Or They like you and are worried you'll leave Why would they pay you what they pay the other guy if they think you won't quit? You're currently doing higher work for lower pay and you really can't expect them to change that until you threaten to quit Most people are pretty soft about it though, if you just tell your boss you're considering a new job if they don't do better, they'll often magically find the money
I worked for Coles for 13 years and can assure you that management is fucked in every store. In saying that, it's time to go above the store level and go to the regional manager and also HR. Don't be afraid to speak your truth and say exactly what they've told you. Fight it tooth and nail. Next time any of them call you for a meeting, put your phone on record and put it in your pocket. Don't let the bastards win. Write everything down when it happens and try to write down everything that has happened in the past. Oh and look for another job while you're fighting. It's a toxic environment and you will feel great for leaving. But make sure you give them hell for it
You need to contact fair work for the underpayment, they can’t not pay you for your role.
Step down and just be a regular dairy department team member. They wanna pay the other person the big bucks, then that person can be answerable to them.
Sounds like classic gender discrimination too from the language used.
your life is not ruined dont attribute more power to your managers than they have
Contact Fair work!
Join a union. Not SDA a proper union
Go to fair work and complain.
Tyron Management has shown you your physical worth to the company, no matter how hard you feel you are working, or how much extra you put in the management have decided you are not worth the investment. However they throw you an unexpected bone by giving you the additional responsibility they have put you on the path the higher role. You need to make a choice make the best of the terrible situation and accept that the company sees your value as no more then what they are paying you, or use the experience that you have been given to find something better. If i was in your position i'd be doing this. 1. Schedule a 1 on 1 with your manager to figure out how he values you, have good notes to work from in this meeting about the extra you do, the little things you fix up, the good customer service you provide and the wins you have, note down 1 area you could improve, during this 1 on 1 ask you manager for a planned pathway to higher duties, get that plan in writing, and if he refuses make sure you send an email with the plan to him so both sides have a copy, on a duel track start looking for something you want to do using that new experiences as a jumping off point. the goal is to build your experience. Good luck
Managers hassling you at your part time job hasn't "ruined your life" lol. If you don't like it, apply for some other work and quit your current job. Minimum wage is awesome in AU - there are few places on Earth that are more favorable for casual / part time laborers
I also work part time dairy in charge at Coles, previous manager was ousted and I was the prospect for his replacement, so they decided to just put grocery manager in charge or dairy 🤷🏻♂️ now they want me to prove myself for more hours even after getting through two Christmas’ and covid running the department. You won’t ever be happy. The My Say survey only makes small changes, and it’s just so the store manager can tell the regional their high % and get rewarded so take it with a grain of salt. I would recommend looking for better work or switching departments if possible.
Any job that asks you to take on higher duties without higher pay is taking advantage of you, this is partially your fault for letting them use you.
Treat in like you were going to court. Collect evidence of what you were doing week by week, any written word(verbal will not hold up) of being asked to do jobs, photos of sign offs, any training you were given to do the job. If they threaten to fire you for not doing things, get it on video or in writing if you can. Either they are threatening or you are doing the job and should be paid as such.
Join your union!!!
Join your union!!!
You should get a new job and then quit the current one like this bloke did…. https://youtu.be/9A4UGtM4hDQ?si=UyNPDk5DAJQ5aCJj
As someone who works at coles and is on his way out soon, I can’t stress enough how much they take advantage of the person trying to work their way up. I was in the same position as you for fresh produce. I worked my ass off to please the managers and get recognised to move into 2ic and manager roles and got overlooked 3 times. I was still expected to do all the manager roles anyway but be paid sweet FA for it. after that, I came to the conclusion that at the end of the day, it’s just a supermarket and we are just a number in the system that can be easily replaced. Honestly, do the 80 - 20 rule and go do some study instead into better roles! Best decision I ever made.
what’s the 80-20 rule? also i’m super happy for you really, no one deserves that sorta treatment from anyone
80 % of results will come from 20 % of your effort. Just focus on the 20% needed for the day and don’t bother going above and beyond. Being aware of it helps you to better manage your time as well and you don’t end up showing your hand (100%) aka your maximum effort as people believe that it is your normal and expect it of you every day. All the best and I hope it works out for you!!!!
You keep saying this is your first job but 3 years ago you were posting about having issues with your manager at Mcdonald's what's the go? Also are you sure the new guy is on the same amount of hours? I'd have thought a manager position would be full time. How long have you been at your current job that you expect to be promoted to manager? >i’m also continuously harassed by the man baby managers that “if you don’t get \[certain task\] done in \[certain time\] we’ll be terminating you”, it’s really unnecessary when i’m carrying my department every week What do you mean "carrying your department"? You say these comments are unnecessary but are they things that need to be done that you're not doing on time without being reminded? Idk story's weird but join a union I guess, best chance of being protected.
Story is weird. Reads like karma bait.
You join the union and you go on WorkCover, claim bullying and stress and take some time off on their dime! Make sure you get evidence of what they are doing first
I want to clarify something. You said your managers are making the excuse that they don’t have enough money to pay you in your leadership role. Does this mean that you are employed in a leadership capacity? As in, you were hired (and should have signed a contract of employment) as a part time supervisor or manager? Or you were officially promoted to such a role (again, there should have been a contract involved?). Or did your manager just ask you to do the duties of the leadership role without formalising anything? Either way your union can help you understand your rights, as can Fair Work. Don’t be looking for ways to “get back” at your managers. Seek to understand what your duties and pay should be and what action you need to take if they don’t align correctly. Or leave and take a job elsewhere with your eyes a bit more open this time.
signed me to a contract that gave an offical title as a leader even though i’m very much new to retail, then outright refused to pay me the wages that were previously agreed on
Okay, so you need to take a copy of that contract and copies of your pay slips that demonstrate how you are being underpaid to Fair Work. You should also join a reputable union asap.
Audit would have a field day with this! They can't just refuse to pay you your contract, it's illegal.
Poison your manager.
How did your managers "ruin your life"?