Qantas state manager Anthony Penney has had enough of his ‘portfolio’ of COVID-19 jobs and would love to get back to aviation
Qantas state manager Anthony Penney rolled up his sleeves and took whatever work he could when the pandemic cut his main gig down to a day a week. But he wants our politicians to get their act together so we can all return to the skies.
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Qantas State manager Anthony Penney didn’t expect to be holding down a “portfolio” of jobs to make ends meet at this point in his career, and while he’s grateful he’s been able to make ends meet, what he really wants is for politicians to get their act together on interstate travel so he can return to the job he loves.
Mr Penney posted his thoughts to LinkedIn recently, declaring “I don’t want my portfolio income any more”, and calling for better management of travel restrictions to get businesses up and running again.
“There has to be a consistent, national framework for state border closures based on science, data and facts,’’ he posted.
“It is nonsensical to not be able to travel between SA & WA, or TAS & QLD, etc. Political decisions are decimating businesses, the economy and people’s mental health.’’
The post received more than 2800 reactions and more than 300 comments, with Adelaide’s business community expressing their solidarity and echoing calls for more clarity on borders and business restrictions.
Mr Penney rejoined Qantas in February after four years as an executive director with Business SA, in what he jokingly refers to as perhaps the worst-timed job move possible.
When planes around the nation, and the globe, were grounded just a month later, with Qantas temporarily standing down 20,000 staff, Mr Penney saw his dream job go from full-time employment to as little as a day a week.
With a mortgage, a four-year-old and a six-month-old, there was no option but to swing into action.
“I think I picked the worst possible time to rejoin the aviation industry,” Mr Penney said.
“It was completely unexpected and ‘shell-shocked’ is an understatement.
“For myself I absolutely do count myself lucky that I do still have a job, or ‘jobs’ plural, because there are so many other wonderful, talented people, not only in aviation but in travel or tourism as a whole, that have been made redundant.’’
Mr Penney initially contacted his network and sought out the possibility of senior or executive roles, but many businesses were facing their own COVID struggles.
The Qantas team helped its staff across Australia find alternate work, and the first gig Mr Penney landed was at his local Woolies.
“I filled out a really streamlined application on a Friday, received an email on a Sunday and started on a Monday,’’ he said.
As a former policy executive at Business SA, this led to some invigorating discussions with the SDA union rep who tried to recruit him when he started, and Mr Penney said he’s been inspired by the team he’s worked with, although occasionally let down by the manner in which frontline service staff are treated by customers.
“The overwhelming majority of customers have been delightful. There are still some people who are quite dismissive, who see you as a retail worker without knowing your background. I work with some incredible people, previous small business owners, an aviation student, and young people who I think ‘wow, you’ve got such a bright future as long as you pursue it and are given the opportunities to do so’.’’
Mr Penney is also helping out with a friend's landscaping business, and works in administration at a child psychology office which he says is quite confronting.
And while he’s thankful he’s been able to make ends meet, he’s most definitely “over it’’.
“Everyone within Qantas just wants to get back to work. It’s a brilliant employer. People are extremely passionate about working for the flying ‘roo and it’s heartbreaking that due to no one’s fault, domestically we’re operating at 20 per cent of pre-COVID levels and internationally we’re not offering any services.
“So the fact that there are thousands of people who have been made redundant and 15,000 who have been stood down indefinitely, that’s a lot of people who are being negatively impacted.’’
WHAT ANTHONY HAS LEARNED AT HIS THREE NEW JOBS
Woolworths:
- 98 per cent of customers are lovely. Remaining 2 per cent can be quite dismissive
- There are some great future business leaders within the team. My bosses are 21 & 24 and brilliant
- Cats eat WAY better than dogs!
- Ice cream is more popular than I thought
Landscaping:
- Man! It feels good to work with your hands. I have calluses for the first time in years!
- My fitness and strength have increased significantly. I pity my keyboard
Admin:
- The level of mental health issues with children is extremely upsetting
