Sunshine Coast small businesses face wage increase, less staff with Queen’s public holiday
Today will be a day of rest for many and mourning for some, but small businesses explain why it’s going to be a massive headache for them. Read what they had to say.
Business
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Sunshine Coast small businesses say they’ll be whacked with less staff and steep wage costs today as the country officially honours the passing of the Queen with a public holiday.
The federal government announced a one-off national public holiday, a National Day of Mourning, on Thursday, September 22 in honour of Queen Elizabeth II following her passing earlier this month.
Sunshine Coast hospitality businessman Danny Simmonds, owner of Toast Office, Walter’s Diner, and Criminal Coffee Company, said the public holiday will create a “sh-tstorm” of issues.
Mr Simmonds said he would feel the brunt of having to pay staff double time and a half and was bracing for some of his staff to call in ‘sick’ on Friday.
“It’s a waste of time, and unnecessary pressure on us,” he said.
He said businesses were still trying to gasp for air following the pandemic, inflation, wage and fuel spikes and international travel limitations.
“That’s the reality we’re in,” he said.
Sunshine Coast barber Have Heart Barber Shop in Mooloolaba is cutting staff numbers from three to one tomorrow as it cannot afford for the full team to be on deck.
Have Heart Barber Shop owner Jake Hart, 31, said the day will dent revenue and add a pile to his workload given he would be the only one in-store.
“It’s impossible for our margins to cover [staff wages] for the day on such short notice,” he said.
Sunshine Coast cafe Wynd Espresso Bar along King St, Maroochydore will be running a tight ship with just three staff tomorrow.
Wynd Espresso Bar co-owner Daniela May said she will stay open tomorrow to create a consistent business for customers, but public holidays added immense pressure to cafes because of high wages.
“It’s near impossible to employ staff during those times if you still wanted to make a profit,” she said.
Kathy Porter, owner of hair studio Leopards n Lions, said the day will take a slice out of her revenue and she didn’t appreciate it being called at short notice without public consultation.
Earlier this month Prime Minister Anthony Albanese defended his decision to lock in the day of mourning, as he called for common sense on what would be a one-in-70-year event.
It came as some economists predicted the public holiday could cost the economy more than a billion dollars in lost activity.
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