A WODONGA business group welcomes the reduction in Sunday penalty rates, but agrees finding weekend staff could become more difficult.
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Wodonga Chamber of Commerce business manager Bernie Squire said employers would see the decision as an opportunity to reduce some operating costs.
“And possibly it might be a catalyst to allow some businesses to open on Sundays where it may have appeared to have been too expensive to do so in the past,” Mr Squire said.
The Fair Work Commission on Thursday morning announced Sunday penalty rates paid in retail, fast food, hospitality and pharmacy industries will be reduced from the existing levels.
Full-time and part-time workers in retail will have their Sunday penalty rates dropped from 200 per cent to 150 per cent of their standard hourly rate, while casuals will go from 200 per cent to 175 per cent.
Hospitality employees will face a reduction in Sunday pay from 175 per cent to 150 per cent, while casual hospitality workers’ pay will remain unchanged.
Fast-food employees’ Sunday rates will go from 150 per cent to 125 per cent for full-time and part-time staff, and casuals will go from 200 per cent to 175 per cent.
The pay cuts take effect from July.
Mr Squire agreed the lower rates might make Sunday shifts less appealing for employees.
“That would be potentially an issue, getting the staff to work those shifts now because they would be getting paid less,” he said.
“It will be difficult to swallow for employees who have had the benefit of double time in the past.”