I'm an Eligible Employee Who Is Qualified for The $1500 Fortnight Claim. Manager Does Not Think I Can Get The Claim

L[Deactivated] on 02/04/2020 - 11:04
Last edited 02/04/2020 - 15:06 by 1 other user

I am a full time barista (for 3 years now) at a well established cafe inside the hospital. Recently I told my manager that I don't feel safe coming in to work as we deal with patients on a daily basis without any proper gear. I told him I won't be working until further notice. He is fine with this.

He then called for a meeting and said that our Cafe is eligible for getting the $1500 claim per employee. However, he said that I can't claim mine as I chose not to work and only employees who are rostered can get it. If I chose to get back to work, then I'll get the claim.

I've read the statement and it clearly stated 'all employed workers' and didn't mention whether the employee is rostered or not. I mentioned this to him but he kept saying that 'he was told' or 'our cafe's head office' said so.

I chose not to work as the hospital is a risky environment to work in. We are basically front liners and face contagious patients everyday. I believe that employees who are in the same situation should get the claim as we are still employed and our Cafe is still getting enough profit as we are a very busy cafe who serves medical staff.

I tried ringing up Centrelink but they will call me back. I don't know who else to call or ask about this. I don't know if my manager is telling the truth to us.

EDIT:
1. I am a full time permanent employee and also a full time student.
2. I live with my 60 year old parents
3. According to my boss, I am still employed and can get back to work when I am ready and 100% well (as I've been coughing)
4. I was still employed on March 1st, 2020.
5. Our cafe is ranked the 3rd busiest among its other franchises, in Australia. While we are eligible for the subsidy, I think we are still getting enough profit (which I still need to find out).
6. We interact with patients and medical staff without any proper equipment.
7. Moving on, I am just waiting for Centrelink to return my call and see where to go from here.

Lastly, I know this may seem like a selfish post. But please before you judge and tell me to suck it up, for all you guys working from home, I hope you'll at least consider what's it like being in a frontliner's position. I know I am not a medical staff, but we still interact with patients who might be a possible COVID carrier. In the hospital I'm in now, there have been 30 cases and counting. The virus can spread very quickly. I have asthma and a weak immune system.

For those who were helpful, thank you!

Financial

closed Comments

  • whooah1979 on 02/04/2020 - 11:09
    +1

    I am a full time barista

    Is the distance between you and the customers more than 1.5 m?

    • brendanm on 02/04/2020 - 11:13
      +3

      It is at all the coffee shops/cafes I've been to.

      • whooah1979 on 02/04/2020 - 11:15
        +68

        Feeling unsafe and being unsafe are two different things.

        Workers that refuse to come to work shouldn't be covered by JS.

        • brendanm on 02/04/2020 - 11:16
          +15

          Correct. My wife works in a hospital with mentally ill and homeless people, and is still going to work, I'm sure op can take a cup of concrete and pour some coffees.

          • lolz112 on 02/04/2020 - 11:21
            +18

            @brendanm: That's a bit unfair. You don't know 0Ps circumstances. Maybe he's immucomprimised. Maybe he lives at home with elderly relative with a range of health problems. In the grand scheme of things having a barista to pour some coffees is a not as important as someone who is on your wife's position.

            • brendanm on 02/04/2020 - 11:24
              +25

              @lolz112: He says he "feels unsafe", not that he is immunocompromised in any way, lives with elderly people etc.

              The importance isn't the point, the point is that he chose not to go to work, even though he has a job, and is now wanting the taxpayers to pay him to sit at home. There are literally thousands of people who have actually lost there jobs that would take OPs position in a heartbeat.

              • mooney on 02/04/2020 - 11:30
                +2

                @brendanm: He clearly states that he reached agreement that he stopped working for a period of time: "I told him I won't be working until further notice. He is fine with this"

                So as long as he was employed on 1st March and the company is eligible, he gets the money. Full stop. Unless the company fire him.

                • whooah1979 on 02/04/2020 - 11:32

                  @mooney: Are you saying that this is unlawful?

                  However, he said that I can't claim mine as I chose not to work and only employees who are rostered can get it. If I chose to get back to work, then I'll get the claim.

                  • mooney on 02/04/2020 - 12:10
                    +1

                    @whooah1979: I don't with any of this anyone can say definitively right now. What ScoMo appeared to say was it wasn't connected to whether you are currently actively working or have been stood down, its more a mechanism to enable employers to retain staff (ie Job Keeper) He was very clear though that the expectation is that the money would be passed on.

                    So if the company claim the money for Ysabelrey then the expectation from the government is its 100% passed on (and they will be checking somehow)- so I cannot see how they can hold a threat of 'you must go to work to get it'

                    Seems to me to be as simple as this: if you are on the books at 1st March and you work for an eligible company, you get it, unless the company fires you which doesn't seem to be the case here.

                    • brendanm on 02/04/2020 - 13:58
                      +3

                      @mooney: The business must be able to show a downturn of 30%.

                    • [Deactivated] on 02/04/2020 - 14:09

                      @mooney: Today is the first day I didn't go to work, as well as our other 4 employees.

                    • cameldownunder on 02/04/2020 - 17:39
                      +1

                      @mooney: I think ( I had discussion with my wife about this ) that if the company has a loss in income over the threshold, then all the employees obtain a 1500 fortnightly package, if they are stood down or not.

                      Issue is that you are refusing to go to work.

                • brendanm on 02/04/2020 - 13:59
                  +3

                  @mooney: That's generally how quitting works. You say you aren't working, the boss says ok, then they get someone else to fill your position, not hard in this climate.

                  Op wasn't made redundant, the business didn't close.

                  • [Deactivated] on 02/04/2020 - 14:11

                    @brendanm: My boss told me that I am still employed and can get back to work once I am ready and 100% well

                    • brendanm on 02/04/2020 - 14:12
                      +3

                      @[Deactivated]: You are well. Currently you are not working, and have no reason not to, therefore won't be getting a jobkeepers allowance, as you are not working.

              • lolz112 on 02/04/2020 - 12:06
                +4

                @brendanm: Just because it's not in the opening post doesn't mean it doesn't exist. OP posted this later " My parents are 60 years old, grandparents are 90 years old. I am not being selfish, just don't want to spread it to my older family members."

                How about showing some compassion instead of trying to out people as dole bludgers. There are a lot of people going through a hard time.

                OP if you want to get JobKeeper access you will need to have good communication with your employer. In the end, it is their decision whether they apply for you. Even if you don't JobSeeker is a decent payment. Keep your head up and try to ignore people who don't have a clue about your situation :)

                • brendanm on 02/04/2020 - 13:57

                  @lolz112: Where does he say he lives with them? Most people have older parents and grandparents.

                  If he doesn't live with them, he shouldn't be visiting them anyway.

                  I'm well aware there are a lot of people going through a hard time, I've already stated that. Op isn't one of them, he has/had a job, and voluntarily vacated his position.

                  • lolz112 on 02/04/2020 - 14:32

                    @brendanm: Why does he need to explain his living situation on a public discussion board. So he can get your approval? He doesn't feel safe and it's 100% fair enough. Stop trying to be the moral police here…

                    • brendanm on 02/04/2020 - 17:07
                      -3

                      @lolz112: Are you serious? So because someone doesn't "feel" safe, they should get to go home, leaving the business owner in the lurch, and get full taxpayer support, then just return to work like nothing happened when they "feel" safe again?

                      Oh, I don't feel safe going to work anymore, the air is too polluted, I'll just stay home while everyone else pays my way.

            • whooah1979 on 02/04/2020 - 11:25
              +15

              @lolz112: Healthcare workers have to drink and eat. Who is supposed to make their coffee when the baristas don't show up for work?

              Workers that don't showing up for work when they have a job shouldn't get a free ride.

            • p1 ama on 02/04/2020 - 18:34
              +1

              @lolz112:

              Maybe he's immucomprimised.

              There comes a point where someone has to be personally responsible for their choices. If one is immunocompromised, then why would they work at a hospital cafe?

        • Captain Snooze on 03/04/2020 - 02:32

          I would hate to see how a manager with your opinions would deal with workplace harassment.

    • [Deactivated] on 02/04/2020 - 11:33

      We are still busy and the shop isn't big. During rush hours we are pretty close to them, sometimes not.

      • brendanm on 02/04/2020 - 14:02
        +1

        Put things in front of the counter like everyone else. Imagine how close the doctors, nurses etc are to actual sick people.

        So you even serve the coffee, or just make it?

        • [Deactivated] on 02/04/2020 - 14:06

          Cafe all rounder. Meaning we use the cashier and talk to customers, make coffee, serve food etc. Yes, I know how much closer the doctors and nurses are to actual sick people, but they do have proper gear and are fully equiped. We have nothing to protect ourselves from. Having the cafe open is also a big risk as we can also spread the virus as we touch everyone's cups. Don't know if I made any sense.

          • brendanm on 02/04/2020 - 14:10

            @[Deactivated]: As I've stated above, my wife is in a hospital, dealing with various patients, has to travel to various other hospitals etc, has no face masks etc provided. There are a tonne of other hospital staff doing the same things as her, and still going to work.

            You are making coffee. At least 99% of people pay by card. People have to keep 1.5m away from you, if they aren't, put things up to block this. Wash your hands.

            Are you living with your parents or grandparents?

            • [Deactivated] on 02/04/2020 - 14:14
              +1

              @brendanm: I am living with both

              • brendanm on 02/04/2020 - 17:05

                @[Deactivated]: That's weird, but you should probably state that at the start and you might get a bit more sympathy. Even still, you've voluntarily left your position.

                • mooney on 02/04/2020 - 19:17

                  @brendanm: @brendanm maybe try to not be so quick to judge. It's not hard.

                  And OP hasn't quit. They've agreed with the boss to stop working for a while. Have you never heard of leave without pay?

                  I think the issue here is the boss shouldn't have agreed to let OP do it if they didn't want them to. So to now blackmail them back to work with the job keeper allowance is horrible.

                  • whooah1979 on 02/04/2020 - 19:31
                    +1

                    @mooney: It doesn’t sound like the employer has done something unlawful like blackmail. Their employees can be rostered to work and get the payment or stay home and get nothing. That sounds reasonable.

                  • brendanm on 02/04/2020 - 21:19

                    @mooney: Quick to judge what? Op has effectively quit, he can not get a jobkeepers allowance if he is earning $0.

                    The boss probably thought he quit, was going to hire one of the hundreds of other baristas available at the moment.

            • Captain Snooze on 03/04/2020 - 02:34

              @brendanm: What's your wife got to do with OP's problem?

          • whooah1979 on 02/04/2020 - 14:26

            @[Deactivated]: We were just in the hospital today. Not a single worker walked around with a face mask.

            Not security use face masks.

            The only people we saw that wore face masks were visitors.

            • [Deactivated] on 02/04/2020 - 14:34

              @whooah1979: Yes because they would only wear it when they are actually interacting with them.

          • seraphim2017 on 02/04/2020 - 14:29
            +2

            @[Deactivated]: Just want to confirm:

            you are placing coffee on a counter for people to take away (as no one can eat in) and the same with food?

            The place can't be 'rammed' with people as all parts of a hospital are plastered with 1.5m rule signs!?

            You are not hand feeding people (as nurses and care staff have to)?

            The most risky part of your job would presumably be walking to your car?

            It would be hard to believe a qualified barista is doing anything other than constantly making coffees in any hospital I've ever been in, a cashier takes money and orders (in theory the most 'risky' and you put the finished order on the collection point. It would be a waste of a baristas expensive time to be doing the other things unless you are very quiet and only 1 staff on, or some other reason?

            Regardless, I hope you find the answer you're looking for but it might be best to as others have said ask fairwork and abide by their advice as if your boss decides that an employee that has told them the're no longer working is no longer employed, isn't going to have that employer go through an application process to pay that non-worker, when they instead will have to recruit and pay an actual working barista.

            • [Deactivated] on 02/04/2020 - 14:45
              -5

              @seraphim2017: Sorry, I didn't explain my job properly. There are only 3 employees working in the morning shift. That's from 5:45 am to 12pm. 1 is making food. 1 is serving customers. 1 is a barista. We are the 3rd busiest franchise in Australia. You can only assume that we get really busy. On a daily basis before COVID, our profit would get up to $10k a day. And that's on short staffed. We get 60 customers an hour, ordering not only 1 coffee each, but more than 5-7. We get super long lines and if the other one is stuck on making food, me (as the barista) will have to move around and go to the second cashier, then will have to go back and forth being barista and cashier. We get little in return. Our boss knows how busy we get, but we are still getting paid so low while they get all the profit. We were already taken advantage of before COVID.

              Honestly, I don't even think our sales have come down to 30% as we are still getting the same profit as new medical staff are being hired. Anyway, I am still waiting for Centrelink to call me back and they will choose what the best option for me is.

              • wyrmy on 02/04/2020 - 15:09
                +1

                @[Deactivated]: If the revenue has not dropped below 30% the business would not be eligible for the $1500

                • ssquid on 02/04/2020 - 15:12
                  +5

                  @wyrmy: Not below 30%, reduced by 30%.

              • Third_Gear on 02/04/2020 - 16:01
                +3

                @[Deactivated]: As a business owner you honestly have no clue what profit the company is making. Just because they take $10k a day in sales doesn’t mean they are making much after everything. Utilities, rent, lease on any equipment, business insurance, employment insurance, cost of goods (bean pricing etc..), and a whole heap of other expenses.

                I believe you have to do what is right for you but I don’t think now is the time to talk about what you feel you are entitled too. Keep in mind there are 100s of baristas now out of work.

                Also only an ass would tell someone to drink a cup of concrete so ignore that. Do what YOU feel is right for you. Good luck!!

              • THL on 02/04/2020 - 16:22

                @[Deactivated]: You still didn't explain how your job will interact with potential COVID-19 patients and put you at risk?

                Not trying to say what you did to protect yourself is wrong (If I'm in your position I'll be concerned too). But I thought barista make coffee and you just place it on a table for the customer to pick up. I'm assuming there's 1.5m+ distance between you and any customers. The only risk I can see is if you are a cashier that might touch the cash which has germs on it. But you can always wash/sanitize before you change station. Other than that I fail to see how your role is considered as at risk? (Obviously besides the fact that you are immunocompromised and live with elderly family).

                Your job is more important than you know. Health workers still need food & drinks and it's already challenging enough for them to be directly in contact with COVID-19 patients.

      • pe arl on 02/04/2020 - 15:35

        I just want to say I'm sorry to hear about your tough situation right now OP. I'd feel quite anxious in your shoes too.

  • [Deactivated] on 02/04/2020 - 11:12
    +5

    Are you sure business is down 30%?

    • brendanm on 02/04/2020 - 11:13
      +8

      It will be when they have no one making coffee.

    • [Deactivated] on 02/04/2020 - 11:25

      Yes, that's what my manager said. But since the hospital is hiring more medical staff, I am not sure if it will remain 30%

      • Avo on 02/04/2020 - 11:39

        Employer eligibility is one thing. So long as it's satisfied you may be eligible however the fact that you were not stood down doesn't help your case.

        To be an eligible employee you need to satisfy the following:
        are currently employed by the eligible employer (including those stood down or re-hired) - The only way you can satisfy this criteria is if your manager re-hired you now.

  • [Deactivated] on 02/04/2020 - 11:19
    +27

    I would be pretty careful. There are a bazillion baristas wanting work right now, so an employer isn't really going to perform somersaults committing long term to an employee who isn't working. If I was your manager and this fever lasts three months or more, I'd be pressing the secret under-desk button.

    • apsilon on 02/04/2020 - 11:26
      +19

      Yep, while I get OPs concerns, refusing to go to work is basically the same as quitting. Don't be surprised if you get replaced OP.

  • popsiee on 02/04/2020 - 11:28
    +14

    OP seems to me you didn't look after your employer and he/she is returning the favor .

    • [Deactivated] on 02/04/2020 - 14:17
      -3

      I have been loyal to my employer. I am being underpaid. I am bumped up to supervisor and still same pay. I have done manegerial tasks and has not been officially promoted. I look after the shop. I even stay an extra hour every shift just to finish my duties. But still was not recognised. Asked for a pay rise, and got nothing in response. I have a good relationship with my boss, I just think that he is taking advantage of us just because we are just 'students'.

      • seraphim2017 on 02/04/2020 - 14:33

        OP, are you working full time or are you a full time student?

        • [Deactivated] on 02/04/2020 - 14:47

          I am working full time and also a full time student, I go to work in the morning and do online classes at night time.

      • smartazz104 on 02/04/2020 - 17:39
        +1

        I have a good relationship with my boss,

        I feel like if this was true you wouldn't be getting underpaid…

        • [Deactivated] on 02/04/2020 - 19:34
          -1

          It's so easy to judge nowadays. My boss is just really stingy and we all know it.

        • [Deactivated] on 02/04/2020 - 19:50
          -1

          I am in a good relationship with my boss. I have been very patient with him. He used to verbally abuse us, he would get quick tempers, throw stuff, slam things. And we didn't react or do anything. He just recently calmed down. And I've lost respect for him countless of times. We never get any recognition, no promotions and are under paid. There are also a couple of times when he'd forget to pay us, and have also 'forgotten' to count the right hours we worked for. I have always been nice to him until now and in no way I have ever retaliated.

          • spackbace on 02/04/2020 - 20:43
            +4

            @[Deactivated]:

            I am in a good relationship with my boss.

            goes on to explain how it's really not a good relationship

            You might be nice to him, but that doesn't equal a good relationship.

            Consider that a life lesson ;)

  • mooney on 02/04/2020 - 11:28
    +2

    When did you stop working? Were you rostered on 1st March?

    Here is the criteria for Job Keeper allowance:
    Were employed by an eligible employer at 1 March 2020
    Can be sole traders, full-time, part-time, or long-term casuals employed on a regular basis for longer than 12 months as at 1 March 2020.
    Are at least 16 years of age.
    Are an Australian citizen, the holder of a permanent visa, a protected special category visa, a non-protected special category visa who has been residing continually in Australia for 10 years or more, or a New Zealander on a special category (subclass 444) visa.

    If your company qualifies and you meet this criteria then yes you are eligible and the company will no doubt get the $ for you.

    The expectation from ScoMo is that they will pass this on 100%. He said as much. Whether they put proper checks in place is another question. The other option is they end your employment, if you were an official FT employee they would still need to pay you your entitlements (ie redundancy pay) and you would move to Job Seekers allowance.

    • sagrules on 02/04/2020 - 16:53

      He is probably a casual that works full-time hours. If you feel your employer has been underpaying you not the legal amount and you lose your job I suggest you dob them into the ATO.

      https://www.ato.gov.au/general/gen/making-a-tip-off/

      There has been many cases where large companies have been doing this in the media and I can bet it is much more rife in much smaller ones.

      You do what you feel is right for you and your family and look after your health. If you do not desperately need the money and can afford not to work I would look into this option as a temporary measure.

      Also, you will most likely be eligible for Job Seeker payment rather than Job Keeper via your employer if your employer refuses to pay you this $1500 payment. I feel the government puts too much trust in employers to pass on this amount to eligible employees when they could potentially bank the money themselves, since there seems to be no current checks in place.

      Fyi, as a full-time student who is not working you would've been eligible for youth allowance regardless of how you left your employer.

  • obiwanmy on 02/04/2020 - 11:30
    +3

    So it is up to the business to select the employees they want to "keep" i.e. if the business wants to keep you, they can apply and include you on the list. Basically if a business is not selecting you on this, you can assume that you are not being retained by the business and you can therefore go on the job seeker scheme instead. Business can elect to opt you into the job keeper scheme even you dont have any work if they want to keep you in their payroll so that when business commence they can immediately utilise your skill.

    From what i read, your manager is holding you hostage i.e. if you dont work, you will need to take your annual / unpaid leave (since you mention full time). Our company currently is using this to retain all our casuals even we dont actually have any work for them.

  • DrRalph on 02/04/2020 - 11:31
    +8

    Your employer is correct. You shouldn't have stopped working. There are plenty of others who will be grateful for the job you have vacated.

  • Choc0 on 02/04/2020 - 11:35
    +20

    Do your job.

    • ssquid on 02/04/2020 - 11:52
      +6

      Username checks out, but you're not wrong.

  • seraphim2017 on 02/04/2020 - 11:46
    +10

    It appears that you have willingly vacated your position. You weren't fired/stood down etc. due to coronavirus, you simply said you weren't going to work. Your company would still employ you to do the job you were paid to do, they'll have to employ someone else now and pay them with the money they'd pay you. You elected not to do it.

    Whether the employer is OK to get the money from the government (UP TO $1500 of fortnightly salary, you don't GET that, it helps keep you in your job!). If your normal pay before this was say $400, you'd get that, you don't get a pay rise from what I can see of it. IF you couldn't work because your employer either:

    Didn't' have enough work for you OR

    they had closed/hibernated for the lockdown being a non-essential business.

    If your employer is still open, business is down due to covid, and you aren't stood down by them, but have stood yourself down, ,that doesn't sound like you get paid. If the company stood you down, because they've shut up shop etc. then that's what the payment is for, to keep you subsisting on the company payroll without funds coming in so you have a job to go back to.

    It isn't for people who've chosen to quit work. Lots of people are in far less 'safe' positions without this safeguard. Fancy being a nurse swabbing suspected Covid-19 patients? they don't get to say 'bit risky, not doing the work, but I'd like the pay'!

    Of course, you might need better advice than ozbargain, maybe fairwork? I'm happy to be proven wrong or right a as the knowledge may help people in these every difficult times. Whatever way this falls, good luck to you and everyone over the next few hard months.

    • [Deactivated] on 02/04/2020 - 11:53
      -1

      Healthcare workers have proper gear and equipment. We have no masks, proper gear, no glass in front of us and are interacting with sick patients everyday. My parents are 60 years old, grandparents are 90 years old. I am not being selfish, just don't want to spread it to my older family members.

      • whooah1979 on 02/04/2020 - 12:01
        +11

        Healthcare workers usually doesn't wear PPE outside of ICU/theatres or when caring for non-contagious patents. It's not like they can walk around the hospital with face masks.

        It would be surprising if the hospitals allowed Covid patents to roam around the hospital buying coffee.

      • seraphim2017 on 02/04/2020 - 12:38
        +3

        I get the same PPE as you do, actually, less.

        I get it when it is CLINICALLY appropriate. I would only imagine that you, as with every other food service worker I've seen lately (and p.s thank you to all food service workers for the caffeine, it's kept me and my colleagues sharp enough to do the best we can!), is wearing a surgical mask (needed by the health service for those elderly parents surgeries) and gloves, and maintaining contactless service, as it should be.

        You should (hopefully!) also have a sink in any commercial food prep are to wash hands thoroughly all the time, ,and when touching your face/money/food.

        You are most probably at less risk when at work than you are in any other situation you would find yourself in during these crazy times.

      • serideth on 02/04/2020 - 16:18

        A lot of people live with elderly relatives, just do what everyone else is doing and maintain as much distance and hygiene as possible. We eat at different times and keep to separate areas of the house, wash your hands regularly and monitor yourself for symptoms.

        If you choose to stop working because you don't want to take the risk then potentially you miss out on the payout as you didn't lose your job and your income was affected by you choosing not to work.

        If you really want the money then move out, maybe move in with friends or colleagues that are the same age or who are less at risk. That way you get some extra money and your family stays isolated.

      • sagrules on 02/04/2020 - 16:56

        You can choose to wear a mask while working, I feel that would be within your rights. As for the contact length and time, that is a different question.

    • Smulder on 02/04/2020 - 19:08

      The employee does get the full $1,500, even if their previous wage was less than this. The employer will be required by legislation to pass on the full amount to the employee. The employer does not get to keep the difference.

      • ssquid on 02/04/2020 - 20:44
        -1

        That is not the case.
        The employer/business receives a $1500 payment per fortnight per eligible employee.
        If an eligible employee usually receives $1500 or more per fortnight, they receive no extra pay (the employer keeps it all).
        If an eligible employee usually receives less than $1500, they will be paid at least $1500 per fortnight. Whether they receive more (i.e. $1500 plus their usual pay) is up to the employer - they can keep the excess if they wish.

        • Smulder on 02/04/2020 - 22:01
          +1

          Nothing you have said disagrees with what i said. Every employee receives at least $1,500. I never said they get $1,500 on top of their usual salary.

          seraphim2017 stated that if you usually earn less than $1,500, the employer gets to keep the difference, which is blatantly incorrect.

  • DingoBilly on 02/04/2020 - 11:49
    +1

    I don't understand all the posts saying he needs to suck it up/it's his fault. Seems completely reasonable to not be comfortable working at this point in time. We should be looking to help each other out as much as possible in these times, not blame people. Especially when it comes to businesses vs employees -> This is basically no cost to the business and helps someone out.

    Regardless of that - he seems to fit all the criteria for the payment. If he was let go it'd be a different matter, but he's still employed by the company so should be fine to receive the payment as far as I can see.

    Company seems to be acting like a dick/not taking care of their employees which is unfortunate.

    • [Deactivated] on 02/04/2020 - 12:06
      +8

      Why is the company acting like a dick? They have to replace OP with one or more people who are willing to work during what might be a boom period for that cafe. Why would an employer make future assurances about retaining a worker who will only return when the risk/demand is over? The cafe might be in a position of having to reduce staff when it is finally deemed safe by the OP.

      • lunchbox99 on 02/04/2020 - 12:11
        +1

        No doubt posted from the safety and comfort from your working at home arrangement…

        • [Deactivated] on 02/04/2020 - 12:18
          +6

          Haha, IT has been socially distant way before it became cool. If OP wants to pick and choose, get a qualification.

          • lunchbox99 on 02/04/2020 - 12:24
            +2

            @[Deactivated]: Well then I think it's a bit rich to be pontificating about safety when you are not exposed to the same risk.

            • [Deactivated] on 02/04/2020 - 12:26

              @lunchbox99: I understand the basics. I didn't conscientiously object to working on Y2K projects. The world could have ended.

              This isn't about health and safety, it's about money.

              • lunchbox99 on 02/04/2020 - 12:37
                +2

                @[Deactivated]: touche!

                Seriously though, I am similarly at low risk but I understand why people would be nervous. Being at a hospital is one of the worst places to be at the moment.

        • brendanm on 02/04/2020 - 14:05
          +1

          I'm sure as hell not working from home, and I share the same sentiment as frugal rock.

      • mooney on 02/04/2020 - 12:15
        +4

        Different people have different perception of threat. Clearly OP feels this is too much of a risk. Right now there is a glut of information and press about the dangers of this virus. Asking everyone to stay home, stories of Ice Rinks being used as mortuaries, of mass graves being prepared. Its not unreasonable that someone might ask their boss to let them not come in. If OP is expecting full pay would be a different story, but they are asking whether they can be forced to work to claim the Job Keeper allowance and the answer appears to be NO.

        Companies at present should try to be accommodating- not threatening staff with a withholding of money (which is free to them) if an employee doesn't work. Imagine the scenario- what if OP gets Coronavirus, passes it onto their grandparent who then dies, because a company forced them to work. This company is being very short sighted.

        • [Deactivated] on 02/04/2020 - 12:22
          +2

          The other side is that the market is full of newly unemployed baristas, many not qualifying for welfare and desperate for work. A company would be foolish to assure future work for an employee that didn't work during the high demand period.

          • mooney on 02/04/2020 - 12:25
            +2

            @[Deactivated]: I agree I think its a risky play to expect a company to keep you on when there is an excess of newly unemployed. OP is taking a big chance on their future career with this company. Its not an easy choice to make so I hope they made it due to circumstances, not in the hope of getting 6 months of money for doing bugger all.

      • DingoBilly on 02/04/2020 - 16:55

        Lol - yes, I am sure the cafe needs to replace the employee and is booming. Have you left the house at all? Literally every place I've been to has staff sitting on their phones/doing nothing or is shut down -> you are kidding yourself if you actually think a cafe would be booming during this time.

        So no - if anything he is doing the employer a favour by not making them have to make the decision which employees to let go outright/reduce shifts etc. which other companies have had to make the difficult choice of.

        • spackbace on 02/04/2020 - 18:44

          The cafe is in a hospital, which is going gang-busters right now, and hiring more and more staff who would definitely need coffees. As well as the increase in beds, meaning an increase in visitors.

          But that's ok, feel free to compare it with a cafe in the 'burbs surrounded by closed businesses.

          • Harold Halfprice on 02/04/2020 - 20:41

            @spackbace:

            The cafe is in a hospital, which is going gang-busters right now, and hiring more and more staff who would definitely need coffees. As well as the increase in beds, meaning an increase in visitors.

            Then how are they eligible for the jobkeeper supplement?

            • spackbace on 02/04/2020 - 20:42

              @Harold Halfprice: Sorry, do you expect a reply to a rhetorical question?

              • Harold Halfprice on 02/04/2020 - 20:44

                @spackbace: How was my question rhetorical?

                If you are saying they are busy and seeing an increase in visitors - then how can it be that they have lost 30% or more in revenue?

                • spackbace on 02/04/2020 - 20:47

                  @Harold Halfprice: Because how the hell am I supposed to know? Why ask a question to the person who won't know. It's not like I'm even the person saying that OP's business should qualify, that's what OP is claiming.

                  You threw a question out to me, knowing full well I'm not privy to the information needed to give you an answer.

    • Milk tea on 02/04/2020 - 23:12

      People that voluntarily stay at home in fear of the coronavirus is not entitled to the jobseeker payment. It is only for businesses that have lost 30 percent or more in revenue where they then claim on behalf of employees that have been there for 12 months plus and the employer will need to pay the difference as a top up to what the employee usually earns. Check fair work if you are unsure

  • Andard on 02/04/2020 - 11:51
    +1

    It could be unfair on the boss's end, but like other are saying you are privileged to have a job during this time. Can you not bring gloves and a mask to work? Nurses and Doctors would probably rely on caffeine at this time.

  • Meho2026 on 02/04/2020 - 11:53
    +5

    You effectively resigned from your job therefore you are not eligible.

    • [Deactivated] on 02/04/2020 - 14:28

      I am still employed and can go back when I'm ready and 100% well.

  • JimmyF on 02/04/2020 - 12:00
    +8

    He then called for a meeting and said that our Cafe is eligible for getting the $1500 claim per employee. However, he said that I can't claim mine as I chose not to work and only employees who are rostered can get it. If I chose to get back to work, then I'll get the claim.

    You went on 'leave without pay' when you said you won't be working.

    So your boss is correct, return to the roster, but if they haven't closed, guess what? You have to work.

  • diceman99 on 02/04/2020 - 12:11
    +1

    You work in a hospital environment. You are probably exposed to much more exotic bacteria and Viruses than most people on daily basis regardless of Wuhan Virus.
    If your concerned about catching something, I would suggest you get another job in a "safer" environment in the long term.

    Regardless of the legality or wording of the Bill. If other employees see that your getting the JobKeeper without actually turning up, do you think they will all expect the same or somehow think its unfair. They may also demand the same and then the employer does go out of business because he can't trade.

    I also think the employer has to show a 30% reduction in sales/profit. The hospital Cafe I would suspect would still be doing the same amount of trade.

  • spackbace on 02/04/2020 - 12:13
    -1

    Are you currently getting paid anything? Or is it leave without pay?

    How will the govt subsidise the company $1500, if you're not actually earning that? The whole idea is to cover a person's wages, not to pay them to sit at home.

    • mooney on 02/04/2020 - 12:19
      +3

      That's wrong Spackbase. Its to prop up companies whilst the economy goes into hibernation. If you work in retail there's a good chance your company has closed the doors, so you CANNOT work. Therefore this enables the company to pass on the $1500 and keep the employees retained VS standing people down and forcing them onto Job Seekers allowance (which has started to happen)

      Whether you are working actual hours is irrelevant- its whether you were rostered on as an employee as of 1st March.
      https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/apr/01/jobke…

      • spackbace on 02/04/2020 - 12:22
        +4

        Hmm ok

        Can only guess that the cafe owner doesn't want all their workers hearing about this, and they all decide to just stay home and he's left with nothing

        • mooney on 02/04/2020 - 12:28
          +3

          That I do agree with. For employees earning minimum wage I think this pretty much means they can stop coming to work and still get the same $. The 'motivation' for coming to a cafe to increase your risk of exposure to Coronavirus is much lower if you know you can get the same $$ for sitting on you arse.

          Once the payments flush through the system I expect a lot more retailers and cafes to close due to staff shortages as people 'no longer feeling safe'.

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