Changes to Sunday penalty rates for those working in retail, fast food, hospitality and the pharmacy industry are to take effect from July 2017.
If the changes take effect this is what they will look like:-
| Award | CURRENT Sunday Rate | NEW Sunday Rate |
| Hospitality | ||
| Full time and part time employees | 175% of standard hourly rate | 150% of standard hourly rate |
| Fast Food Award | ||
| Full time and part time employees | 150% of standard hourly rate | 125% of standard hourly rate |
| Casual employees | 175% of standard hourly rate | 150% of standard hourly rate |
| Retail Award | ||
| Full time and part time employees | 200% of standard hourly rate | 150% of standard hourly rate |
| Casual employees | 200% of standard hourly rate | 175% of standard hourly rate |
| Pharmacy Award | ||
| Full time and part time employees | 200% of standard hourly rate | 150% of standard hourly rate |
| Casual employees | 200% of standard hourly rate | 175% of standard hourly rate |
Labor leader Bill Shorten has introduced a private bill to Parliament in an attempt to protect current penalty rates and if passed the Fair Work Commission will be unable to vary modern awards to reduce an employee’s or prospective employee’s take home pay.
Watch this space to see what happens.
In the meantime, if you are an employee and unsure of your entitlements or an employer an unsure of your obligations, please do not hesitate to contact our office and speak with one our Employment Law solicitors.
