FSG employees stuck in limbo over future of their jobs

EMPLOYEES of trainwreck charity FSG Australia have had their futures toyed with as employers fire and rehire intermittently via email.

FSG have been sending staff emails asking them to go to the main office to find out if they are still employed. Photo of a worker at the Southport office. Photo by Richard Gosling

FSG employees are still in limbo after a rollercoaster fortnight with their former employers.

A current employee who wished to remain anonymous said after weeks of uncertainty, she received a text to go to the FSG Southport headquarters to see if her name was on a list of continued employment.

Once there, she was told her fate had not yet been decided, leaving her in limbo for a further two weeks at least.

FSG have been sending staff emails asking them to go to the main office to find out if they are still employed. Photo by Richard Gosling

“Last week we were told not to show up to our shifts because we wouldn’t be paid and then we were told to turn up and that we would be paid,” she said.

“I’m not going to just leave my clients, especially the high needs ones, so of course I turn up but I have children to feed and rent to pay.

“Today the administrators told me it would be another two weeks before I know for sure but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was longer.

“It’s such a stressful time for everyone, it’s really hard not knowing what you’re going to do to survive next week.”

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Another employee who attended the Southport location said the uncertainty was affecting clients as well as staff.

“This whole thing has been a total mess,” he said.

“The worst thing is the clients, a lot of us carers would do this job for free but obviously we can’t do that.

“It’s not fair on the clients lying there wondering if we’re coming.”

FSG’S $20 MILLION PROPERTY EMPIRE REVEALED

The charity’s 900 staff were supposed to know their definitive job status by June 30 at the latest, when FSG officially entered administration and Brisbane organisation CPL took over.

However staff have been left more confused than ever.

Rhys Kennedy, CPL CEO.

On Thursday night employees received an email from CPL stating: “The previous advice that your employment is to be terminated on Saturday 30th June is now incorrect for all Direct Service Employees.

“For all disability and aged care Direct Support Employees please attend work as per your roster — you will be paid.”

The next day, employees received an email from FSG stating: “We confirm that the previous notice of termination contained in my letter of 22 June 2018 issued on behalf of the FSG board advising of your termination of employment as at 30 June 2018 remains effective.”

Administrators FTI Consulting commenced work on FSG yesterday, with their first priority being providing clarity to clients and employees.