Job saver plan comes just in the nick of time for hairdresser

With millions of Australian workers staring down the face of unemployment, the Federal Government has rolled out a vital rescue package to save jobs.

Holly Shadlow a barber at Jimmy Rod’s in Brisbane. Photo: Steve Pohlner

FOR Brisbane hairdresser Holly Shadlow, the Federal Government’s “job keeper” program has come just in the nick of time. Ms Shadlow, who has worked at Jimmy Rod’s Barbershops for the past six years, was staring down the face of unemployment as trade went off a cliff.

Under the $130 billion plan as many as six million workers will be kept in their jobs with fortnightly $1500 government-funded payments designed to help Australia’s economy remain afloat during the coronavirus shutdown.

“I usually do 15 haircuts a day but only had two bookings today. You can’t stand around doing nothing,” said the 31-year-old who works in the chain’s Queen St shop.

“Everything has been so uncertain. My partner is an electrician who has been stood down and for the first time in his life has had to line up at Centrelink. But we still have bills to pay and our mortgage.”

Jimmy Rod’s barber Holly Shadlow. Photo: Steve Pohlner

She said some of her friends who worked for smaller independent hairdressers had already lost their jobs. She was working on reduced hours as the company’s revenue slumped due to the spread of the coronavirus.

“I want to keep my job and stay here with the people I consider my family,” she said. “I know my employer has got my back and this job subsidy plan is a good idea.”

Jimmy Rods Barbershop chief executive Jimmy O'Brien said the subsidy was “fantastic news” for businesses trying to keep their doors open during the crisis.

Mr O’Brien, who has eight shops in total around Brisbane, says he has laid off half his 80 staff as sales slumped by 50 per cent but this would allow him to put people back on the books. “I can get my managers working on projects to prepare for when conditions improve,” he said.

Premier Investment chairman Solomon Lew said the subsidy would give retailers like his a greater ability to retain team members. Premier’s 9,000 staff who work for the Smiggle, Just Jeans and Portman brands have been stood down due to necessary store closures associated with social distancing and health measures. "The ability to retain team members during this challenging time will give businesses the best possible opportunity to bounce back and thrive," Mr Lew said.

Brisbane-based music provider Nightlife said the subsidy would help keep its 120 staff "connected" to the company as it rode the crisis out.

The company shut its door on Friday having lost about 5000 clients including gyms, hotels, nightclubs, restaurants, cafes, cruise ships and casinos, Nightlife co-founder Mark Brownlee said the company had already registered with the ATO for updates and more information on the JobKeeper payment.