Australia Post General Conditions of Employment Award 1999
AP766597 - Australia Post General Conditions of Employment Award 1999
PART 6 – HOURS OF WORK, OVERTIME, EXCESS TRAVELLING TIME AND SHIFT WORK
21. HOURS OF DUTY
Hours of duty applicable to an employee are specified in the relevant specific award.
21.2 Hours of Duty - Facilitative Provisions
By agreement with either the majority of employees or on the basis of individual agreement these conditions may be varied in the following manner:
21.2.1 The ordinary hours of duty of employees shall not exceed 36 3/4 hours per week or an average thereof provided that the weekly hours for day workers may be averaged over a cycle of no longer than 4 weeks.
21.2.2 The ordinary hours of day workers may be between the hours of 6.30 a.m. and 6.00 p.m.
21.2.3 Ordinary hours of duty shall be worked on an average of no more than 5 attendances per week over a cycle.
21.2.4 Ordinary hours of duty on any one day may be between six and ten hours.
21.3.1 Continuous Duty
The ordinary hours of duty of part-time employees shall be continuous on any one day. An unpaid meal break shall not be regarded as breaking continuity of duty.
21.3.2 Hours Specified
At the time of engagement, Australia Post and the part-time employee will agree in writing, on a regular pattern of work, specifying at least the hours worked each day, which days of the week the employee will work, or, where appropriate, the number of shifts in the cycle and the actual starting and finishing times each day/shift.
21.3.3 Hours Varied
Subject to 21.3.4 and 21.3.5, the hours of duty of part-time employees may be varied to meet Australia Post’s operating requirements, following consultation with the employee and having regard to the needs of the employee. Any variations will be recorded in writing. Family responsibilities of part-time employees are to be considered when varying hours of duty.
21.3.4 Notice
Part-time employees must be given a reasonable period of notice of a variation of hours of duty. Where a reduction in hours will occur, no part-time employee shall be given less than three months notice of a reduction in hours unless the employee agrees to a shorter period.
21.3.5 Initiated by Employee
Where the permanent part-time employment arrangement was initiated by the employee, the hours of duty can only be varied during the period for which the arrangement was approved, with the consent of the employee. However if the arrangement extends beyond 12 months, the hours of duty may be varied after 12 months in accordance with 21.3.3.
An employee may elect, with the consent of Australia Post, to work make up time under which the employee takes time off ordinary hours, and works the time taken off at a later time, during the spread of ordinary hours applicable to the employee, at ordinary rates.
An employee shall not be employed for more than 5 hours continuously without being granted a meal break of not less than 30 minutes nor more than 75 minutes, provided that:
21.5.1 by agreement between Australia Post and an employee or a majority of employees in the workplace concerned a longer period for the meal break may be arranged;
21.5.2 by agreement between Australia Post and an employee, the employee concerned may work in excess of 5 hours but not more than 6 hours without a meal break.
21.5.3 However, where an employee is required to work in excess of 5 hours on any day or shift, a meal break must be granted.
