Ex-Target and Coles boss reveals Aussie workers’ big problem

A former Target and Coles Group executive has confirmed the retail and hospitality industry’s worst-kept secret — which affects every casual worker in Australia.

Casual workers must work hard and be flexible if they want to be a “favourite”. Picture: iStock

With Sunday penalty rates set to drop from next week, it is more critical than ever for casual workers to be in their manager’s good books.

A former Target and Coles Group executive has confirmed the retail and hospitality industry’s worst-kept secret that managers play favourites, giving more shifts – and therefore earnings – to their most prized employees.

Andrew Myers, now vice president of Asia Pacific and global digital strategy for WorkJam, said favouritism had always been present in sectors with casual employees.

“The more employees make themselves available, the more likely they are going to be favourites,” he said.

“You can call it favouritism or you can call it good management (but) it’s always been there.”

Retail workers are among those set to lose some of their Sunday penalty rates. Picture: iStock

Whether based on work ethic or other factors, favouritism is becoming a growing issue, as competition for shifts increases.

Australia’s underemployment rate – the proportion of workers given fewer work hours than they wanted or needed – was about 8.6 per cent in May, up from 8.1 per cent in January, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported.

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Mr Myers said retailers often “over-employed then under-utilised” workers.

“It’s quite a widespread problem,” he said.

“It’s now across all ages, too, because as people get older (and transition) into semi-retirement they still want to work but want flexibility and that’s where the gig economy is coming from.”

He said perceptions of unfair favouritism could damage an employer’s brand but digital platforms, such as WorkJam’s, negated this issue, as managers could post available shifts to all employees at once, allowing them to be filled “first come, first serve”.

Bennett & Philp associate and employment law expert Lachlan Thorburn said favouritism had the potential to become a legal issue in certain situations.

“In circumstances where it’s related to discrimination or harassment or retaliation, that’s when it will cross over into illegal behaviour,” he said.

“It could be (that the employee made) a complaint about underpayment or unsafe work conditions and because of that (the employee) might look up and see there are no more shifts allocated to them so they might be able to make a claim under the general protection provisions of the Fair Work Act for some form of adverse action taken against them.”

SEEK resident psychologist Sabina Read said workers who felt they were the victim of unfair favouritism should determine why another worker may be getting more shifts than them before jumping to conclusions.

SEEK resident psychologist Sabina Read. Picture: Supplied

“Before you chuck in the towel, reflect on your own approach,” she said.

“What might your manager be looking for that you are not delivering and how can you improve?

“It might not be that the manager has to like us but they have to know us so make an effort to connect.

“It’s hard to connect with someone you don’t spend any time with.

“It’s easy to turn up to a shift and go home but cultivating that human connection is important on many levels.”

From July 1, a typical casual worker employed under the Retail Award will earn 175 per cent of their usual rate on a Sunday, down from the current 185 per cent.

Those under the Fast Food Award will earn 150 per cent, down from 160 per cent, and those under the Pharmacy Award will earn 190 per cent, down from 205 per cent.

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Originally published as Ex-Target and Coles boss reveals Aussie workers’ big problem