[2016] FWCFB 6460
FAIR WORK COMMISSION

STATEMENT AND DIRECTIONS



Fair Work Act 2009

s.156 - 4 yearly review of modern awards

4 yearly review of modern awards—Penalty rates
(AM2014/305)

JUSTICE ROSS, PRESIDENT
VICE PRESIDENT CATANZARITI
DEPUTY PRESIDENT ASBURY
COMMISSIONER HAMPTON
COMMISSIONER LEE

MELBOURNE, 8 SEPTEMBER 2016

4 yearly review of modern awards – penalty rates

[1] This Statement deals with two issues relating to the Penalty Rates case. The first concerns an aspect of the evidence led by Ai Group in support of its claim to vary certain penalty rates in the Fast Food Industry Award 2010.

[2] On 3 August 2016, Directions were issued in relation to the survey evidence attached as ‘PAD2’ to the affidavit of Patricia Ann Deasy. In particular, Ai Group was directed to provide a breakdown of the survey results based on classification level. If no such breakdown existed then Ai Group was asked to suggest an alternative measure which may provide a proxy for classification level. This information was sought so that the Full Bench could consider whether employee preferences varied depending on their classification.

[3] In response to the Directions Ai Group filed an affidavit of Patricia Deasy, affirmed on 19 August 2016 (the Deasy Affidavit), and submissions dated 19 August 2016.

[4] Ai Group’s submission states that as no question in the survey required respondents to specify or record their classification it is not possible to provide a breakdown of results based on classification level. Ai Group goes on to submit that the age or employee status of the survey respondents may provide a proxy for classification level. The Deasy Affidavit provides a further breakdown of certain results from the survey based on employment status and age (the ‘Additional Breakdown’). The results from the survey which the Additional Breakdown was performed on were:

[5] Ai Group submits that the results from the survey demonstrate that:

[6] The SDA filed a submission in reply to the submissions filed by Ai Group. At paragraph 5 of that submission the SDA states:

[7] The argument advanced in support of this submission is set out at paragraphs 6 – 17 of the SDA’s submission.

[8] On the material presently before us our provisional view is that there is some force in the SDA’s submission that no cogent basis has yet been articulated for why age and employment status may provide a proxy for classification levels.

[9] We note that paragraph 4 of Ai Group’s submission relies on parts of the Limbrey First Affidavit (Exhibit AIG3 at paragraphs 25, 30, 31, 33-36 and 186-185: the ‘Limbrey evidence’) in support of the proposition that age and employment status may provide a proxy for classification levels. The Limbrey evidence is that at 19 May 2015, 98 911 employees employed in McDonald’s restaurants were employed in the following classifications under the McDonald’s Australia Enterprise Agreement 2013:

Level 2 Crew Member 91 107

Level 3 Shift Supervisor 3 239

Level 4 Shift or Trainee Manager 4 565

[10] Further, as at 19 May 2015 the employment status of these 98 911 employees was:

[11] The data at paragraphs 33-36 of the Limbrey evidence shows that the majority of casual employees (58,007; 76%) were aged 14-18 years whereas a majority of part time (10,069; 63%) and full time employees (6,397; 93%) were aged 19 years and older.

[12] At paragraph 184 of the Limbrey evidence it is said that ‘casual Crew Members and most part time Crew Members can be classified as non-career employees’.

[13] While the Limbrey evidence may show an association between employment status and age, it does not appear to provide any insight into the age and employment status of the employees employed at Levels 2, 3 and 4. Further, the Limbrey evidence provides no data in respect of the Hungry Jack’s employees.

[14] We would be assisted by evidence which sets out (for McDonald’s and Hungry Jack’s employees):

[15] As to the Deasy Affidavit and the Additional Breakdown, this material appears to show that employee preferences to work some or more hours on either a Saturday or a Sunday vary depending on the age and employment status of the employee. For example, a majority of full time employees would not work some or more hours on a Sunday if they were offered those hours whereas a majority of casual employees would work the additional Sunday hours. We would be assisted by a further affidavit from Ms Deasy clearly setting out the extent of the variation in employee preferences to work some or more hours on either a Saturday or a Sunday, by the age and employment status of the employee.

[16] The Directions issued on 3 August 2016 did not specifically provide Ai Group with the opportunity to reply to any submissions filed in response to material it filed. We propose to provide such an opportunity. The following Directions are issued in relation to the provision of evidence of the type referred to in paragraphs [14] and [15] above:

[17] The second issue we wish to deal with concerns the status of the various claims before the Full Bench. It appears that some of the claims are no longer being pressed. For example, the written closing submissions filed on behalf of ACCI, NSWBC and ABI, dated 2 February 2016, state at paragraph 3.1:

[18] A draft summary of the claims before the Full Bench has been prepared by staff of the Fair Work Commission and is set out at Attachment A to this Statement. Any corrections or amendments to that draft summary are to be filed with the Fair Work Commission at amod@fwc.gov.au by 4pm Friday 23 September 2016.

[19] Any questions in relation to the Directions set out at paragraph [16] above (or any application to vary those Directions) should be sent to chambers.ross.j@fwc.gov.au.

PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<Price code A, PR585211>

ATTACHMENT A — Proposed Variations

NOTE 1: In the attached document red text that is struck-through is existing text that the relevant party seeks to have removed from the award. Red text that is underlined is new text that the relevant party seeks to have inserted into the award. Black text is existing text that the relevant party doesn’t seek to change (and is included in the document to provide context).

NOTE 2: A joint application by the Australian Federation of Employers and Industries and the Australian Amusement, Leisure and Recreation Association Inc. to vary penalty rates in the Amusement, Events and Recreation Award 2010 was withdrawn by correspondence dated 26 June 2015.

NOTE 3: A joint application by the Australian Federation of Employer and Industries and the Drycleaning Institute of Australia to vary penalty rates in the Dry Cleaning and Laundry Industry Award 2010 was withdrawn by correspondence dated 12 August 2015.

Attachment A1—Proposed Variations—Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2010 [MA000009]

Claims by Australian Hotels Association and Accommodation Association of Australia

3. Definitions and interpretation

3.1 In this award, unless the contrary intention appears:

32. Penalty rates Additional remuneration

32.1 An employee performing work on the following days will be paid the following percentage of the minimum hourly wage rate in clause 20—Minimum wages for the relevant classification:

32.2 Public holidays Holidays

(a) An employee other than a casual working on a public holiday will be paid for a minimum of four hours’ work. A casual employee working on a public holiday will be paid for a minimum of two hours’ work.

29.1.1 Employees (other than casual employees) who work on a prescribed holiday may, by agreement, perform such work at their applicable ordinary hourly rate plus 50% 25% additional loading rather than the penalty rate additional remuneration prescribed in clause 32.1, provided that equivalent paid time is added to the employee’s annual leave or one day instead of such public holiday will be allowed to the employee during the week in which such holiday falls. Provided that such holiday may be allowed to the employee within 28 days of such holiday falling due.

(c) An employee other than a casual working on Christmas Day when it falls on a weekend, and is not prescribed as a public holiday under the NES as defined in this award will be paid an additional loading of 50% of their applicable ordinary hourly rate for the hours worked on that day and will also be entitled to the benefit of a substitute day.

32.3 Other penalty additional remuneration
Employees will be entitled to the following additional penalty remuneration for work performed at the following times:

(b) Monday–Friday—midnight to 7.00 am: 15% of the standard hourly rate per hour or any part of an hour for such time worked within the said hours.

32.4 Penalty rates Additional remuneration not cumulative
Except as provided in clause 31—Breaks, where time worked is required to be paid for at more than the ordinary rate such time will not be subject to more than one penalty additional remuneration rate, but will be subject to that penalty the rate which is to the employee’s greatest advantage.

37. Public holidays Holidays

37.1 National Employment Standards

By agreement between the employer and the majority of employees in the relevant enterprise or section of the enterprise, an alternative day may be taken as the public holiday instead of any of the days prescribed in s.115 of the Act holidays in this award.

(b) Additional arrangements for full-time employees:

For the purposes of this subclause a “day” is equal to the length of time of the rostered day off that falls on the holiday.

Part-time employees are entitled to public holidays prescribed in s.115 of the Act holidays as defined in clause 3 without loss of pay if those public holidays fall on days agreed under clauses 12.3 and 12.4. Part-time employees who work on a public holiday must be paid in accordance with clause 32.

[NOTE 1: The application to vary the part-day public holiday provisions has been referred to a separately constituted Full Bench (AM2014/301).]

[NOTE 2: Pending the outcome of its application to amend the coverage of the Hospitality Award 2010 regarding catering businesses, Restaurant and Catering Industrial may seek to amend the public holiday penalty rate for full-time and part-time employees per its outline of submissions of 1 December 2014.]

Attachment A2—Proposed Variations—Restaurant Industry Award 2010 [MA000119]

Claims by Restaurant & Catering Industrial

34. Penalty rates

34.1 Penalty rates for work on weekends and public holidays
An employee working ordinary time hours on the following days will be paid the following percentage of the minimum wage in clause 20—Minimum wages for the relevant classification:

34.1A Special condition regarding existing employees
No existing employee classified as Level 3 or above shall be moved down to pay grade Levels 1 or 2 or be discriminated against in the allocation of work as a result of the variation of clause 34.1 by the Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission in proceedings number C2013/6610.
34.2 Additional payment for work done between the hours of 10.00 pm to 7.00 am on Monday to Friday

(a) An employee, including a casual, who is required to work any of their ordinary hours between the hours of 10.00 pm and midnight Monday to Friday inclusive, or between midnight and 7.00 am Monday to Friday inclusive, must be paid an additional amount per hour calculated according to the following:

34.2 Additional payment for work done between the hours of midnight and 5.00 am Monday to Friday

(a) An employee, including a casual, who is required to work any of their ordinary hours between the hours between midnight and 5.00 am Monday to Friday inclusive, must be paid an additional shift allowance of 5% per hour worked.

(b) For the purposes of this clause midnight will include midnight Sunday.

34.3 Penalty rates not cumulative
Except as provided in clause 32—Breaks, where time worked is required to be paid at more than the ordinary rate such time will not be subject to more than one penalty, but will be subjected to that penalty which is to the employee’s greatest advantage.
34.4 Additional provisions for work on public holidays

(c) Employees who work on a prescribed holiday may, by agreement, perform such work at a rate of 150% of the relevant minimum wage in clause 20—Minimum wages, rather than the penalty rate prescribed in clause 34.1, provided that equivalent paid time is added to the employee’s annual leave or one day instead of such public holiday will be allowed to the employee during the week in which such holiday falls. Provided further that such holiday may be allowed to the employee within 28 days of such holiday falling due.

(c) Employees who work on a prescribed holiday may, by agreement, perform such work at the ordinary hourly rates as set out in clause 20—Minimum wages, rather than the penalty rate prescribed in clause 34.1, provided that four hours annual leave is added to the employee’s annual leave balance or four hours time off in lieu is provided within four weeks of the public holiday.

(d) An employee other than a casual working on Christmas Day when it falls on a weekend and it is not a prescribed public holiday must be paid an additional loading of 50% of their ordinary time rate for the hours worked on that day and will also be entitled to the benefit of a substitute day.

Claims by Australian Business Industrial and NSW Business Chamber

34. Penalty rates

34.1 Penalty rates for work on weekends and public holidays
An employee working ordinary time hours on the following days will be paid the following percentage of the minimum wage in clause 20—Minimum wages for the relevant classification:

34.1A Special condition regarding existing employees
No existing employee classified as Level 3 or above shall be moved down to pay grade Levels 1 or 2 or be discriminated against in the allocation of work as a result of the variation of clause 34.1 by the Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission in proceedings number C2013/6610.
34.2 Additional payment for work done between the hours of 10.00 pm to 7.00 am on Monday to Friday

34.3 Penalty rates not cumulative
Except as provided in clause 32—Breaks, where time worked is required to be paid at more than the ordinary rate such time will not be subject to more than one penalty, but will be subjected to that penalty which is to the employee’s greatest advantage.
34.4 Additional provisions for work on public holidays

Attachment A3—Proposed Variations—Registered and Licensed Clubs Award 2010 [MA000058]

Claims by Clubs Australia Industrial

29. Penalty rates

29.1 An employee other than a maintenance and horticultural employee performing work on the following days will be paid the following percentage of the minimum wage rate in clause 17—Minimum wages for the relevant classification:

29.2 A maintenance and horticultural employee performing work on the following days will be paid the following percentage of the minimum wage rate in clause 17—Minimum wages for the relevant classification:

29.3 Public holidays

29.4 Late and early work penalty
Employees other than maintenance or horticultural employees will be entitled to the following additional penalty for work performed at the following times:

29.5 Penalty rates not cumulative
Except as provided in clause 24—Meal breaks, where time worked is required to be paid for at more than the ordinary rate such time will be not subject to more than one penalty, but will be subjected to that penalty which is to the employee’s greatest advantage.

Attachment A4—Proposed Variations—General Retail Industry Award 2010 [MA000004]

Claim by Australian Retailers Association, National Retail Association and Master Grocers Association

29 Overtime and penalties

29.4 Penalty payments

(a) Evening work Monday to Friday

A penalty payment of an additional 25% will apply for ordinary hours worked after 6.00 pm. This does not apply to casuals.

A penalty payment of an additional 25% will apply for ordinary hours worked on a Saturday for full-time and part-time employees. A casual employee must be paid an additional 10% for work performed on a Saturday between 7.00 am and 6.00 pm.

A penalty payment of an additional 100% 50% loading will apply for all hours worked on a Sunday. This penalty payment also applies to casual employees instead of the casual loading in clause 13.2.

30. Shiftwork

30.3 Rate of pay for shiftwork

Claim by Australian Business Industrial and NSW Business Chamber

29 Overtime and penalties

29.4 Penalty payments

(a) Evening work Monday to Friday

A penalty payment of an additional 25% will apply for ordinary hours worked after 6.00 pm. This does not apply to casuals.

A penalty payment of an additional 25% will apply for ordinary hours worked on a Saturday for full-time and part-time employees. A casual employee must be paid an additional 10% for work performed on a Saturday between 7.00 am and 6.00 pm.

A penalty payment of an additional 100% 50% loading will apply for all hours worked on a Sunday. This penalty payment also applies to casual employees instead of the casual loading in clause 13.2.

Attachment A5—Proposed Variations—Fast Food Industry Award 2010 [MA000003]

Claim by Australian Industry Group

25. Hours of work

25.5 Penalty rates

A loading of 25% will apply for ordinary hours of work within the span of hours on a Saturday, and for casual employees an additional 25% on top of the casual rate.

Claim by Restaurant & Catering Industrial

25. Hours of work

25.5 Penalty rates

A loading of 25% will apply for ordinary hours of work within the span of hours on a Saturday, and for casual employees an additional 25% on top of the casual rate.

An employee working ordinary hours of work on the following days will be paid the following percentage of the minimum wage in clause 17—Minimum weekly wages for the relevant classification:

An employee, including a casual, who is required to work any of their ordinary hours between the hours between midnight and 5.00 am Monday to Friday inclusive, must be paid an additional shift allowance of 5% per hour worked. For the purposes of this clause midnight will include midnight Sunday.

30. Public holidays

30.1 Public holidays are provided for in the NES.

30.2 An employer and a majority of employees may agree to substitute another day for a public holiday. If an employee works on either the public holiday or the substitute day public holiday penalties apply. If both days are worked, the public holiday penalties must be paid on one day chosen by the employee.

30.3 Work on a public holiday must be compensated by payment at the rate of 250% (275% for casual employees).

30.3 Alternate compensation for work on public holiday
An employee other than a casual who works on a prescribed public holiday may, by agreement, perform such work at the ordinary rates rather than the penalty rate prescribed in clause 25.5, provided that four hours annual leave is added to the employee’s annual leave balance or they are given four hours time off in lieu within four weeks of the public holiday occurring.

Claim by National Retail Association

25. Hours of work

25.5 Penalty rates

A loading of 25% will apply for ordinary hours of work within the span of hours on a Saturday, and for casual employees an additional 25% on top of the casual rate.

A loading of 25% will apply for ordinary hours of work within the span of hours on Saturday and Sunday, and for casual employees an additional 25% on top of the casual rate.

26. Overtime

The rate of overtime shall be time and a half for the first two hours on any one day and at the rate of double time thereafter, except on a Sunday which shall be paid for at the rate of double time and on a Public Holiday which shall be paid for at the rate of double time and a half. Casual employees shall be paid 275% on a Public Holiday.

Public holidays

30.1 Public holidays are provided for in the NES.

30.2 An employer and a majority of employees may agree to substitute another day for a public holiday. If an employee works on either the public holiday or the substitute day public holiday penalties apply. If both days are worked, the public holiday penalties must be paid on one day chosen by the employee.

30.3 Work on a public holiday must be compensated by payment at the rate of 250% 150% (275% 175% for casual employees, inclusive of the casual loading).

Attachment A6—Proposed Variations—Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2010 [MA000005]

Claim by Australian Business Industrial, NSW Business Chamber and Hair & Beauty Australia Industry Association

13. Casual employment

13.1 A casual employee is an employee engaged as such.

13.2 For all work between 7.00 am and 9.00 pm Monday to Friday, a casual will be paid both the hourly rate for a full-time employee and an additional 25% of the ordinary hourly rate.

13.3 For all work performed outside the hours in clause 28.2, except Sundays, a casual employee will be paid the hourly ordinary rate for a full-time employee in this award plus 50%. For Sundays, the additional loading will be 100%.

13.4 The following provisions of this award do not apply to casuals:

13.5 Casual employees will be paid at the termination of each engagement, but may agree to be paid weekly or fortnightly.

13.6 The minimum daily engagement of a casual is three hours.

31. Overtime and penalties

31.2 Overtime and penalty rates

(b) Saturday work

A loading of 33% will apply for ordinary hours of work for full-time, part-time and casual employees within the span of hours on a Saturday.

A 100% 50% loading will apply for all hours of work for full-time, and part-time and casual employees on a Sunday.

Where it is mutually agreed upon between the employer and the employee (such agreement to be evidenced in writing), an employee may be employed on their rostered day off at the rate of double time for all time worked with a minimum payment as for hour hours’ work.

35. Public holidays

35.1 Public holidays are provided for in the NES.

35.2 An employer and a majority of employees may agree to substitute another day for a public holiday. Where an agreement to substitute a day is made the following applies:

35.3 Work on a public holiday must be compensated by payment at the rate of double time and a half for full-time, part-time and casual employees.

35.2 Work on a public holiday for full-time and part-time employees must be compensated by:

35.3 Work on a public holiday for casual employees must be compensated by payment at the casual employee’s ordinary rate.

Attachment A7—Proposed Variations—Pharmacy Industry Award 2010 [MA000012]

Claim by Pharmacy Guild of Australia

26.2 Overtime and penalty rates

Overtime means authorised additional hours performed at the direction of the employer:

A loading of 50% (casuals 75%) will apply for hours worked before 8.00 am and a loading of 25% (casuals 50%) for hours between 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm. A loading of 50% will apply to hours worked from 9.00 pm to midnight (casuals 75%).

A loading of 100% (casuals 125%) will apply for hours worked before 8.00 am, and a loading of 25% (casuals 50%) will apply for hours of work from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm on a Saturday. A loading of 50% (casuals 75%) will apply from 6.00 pm to 9.00 pm, and a loading of 75% (casuals 100%) for hours from 9.00 pm to midnight.

A 100% (casuals 125%) loading will apply for all hours of work on a Sunday.

31 Public holidays

31.1 Public holidays are provided for in the NES.

31.2 An employer and the employee may by agreement substitute another day for a public holiday. Where there is no agreement the employer may substitute another day but not so as to give an employee less time off work than the employee would have had if the employee had received the public holiday.

31.3 Work on a public holiday must be compensated by payment at the rate of 250% (casuals 275%) of the minimum rate.

[NOTE: The following clause X is a new clause proposed by the Pharmacy Guild of Australia.]

X. Additional remuneration

X.1 The employer will pay to an employee the following rates for all ordinary hours worked during the specified periods: