Employer Falls Sick and I Am Unable to Work, What Are My Rights?

Lhelichopta on 23/05/2022 - 20:16

So I am an apprentice electrician.
It is just the business owner, me and the van.
He has just fallen ill with Covid but I have not. I cannot work without supervision.

Now he could pimp me out with another A-grade and charge my hours to them. But what if my services are not required and I don't really want to be forced to use my holiday or ROD's.
(I have them ear-marked for the time off until later this year?)

What is the deal in this situation?

This is not a moralistic question as I'm not there to sink the buisness.
I genuinely can't find a website or a person with the answer.

Education & Work

Comments

  • Gunther on 23/05/2022 - 20:22
    +5

    Check your employment agreement; it will either guarantee your income or your will be casual and have no guarantees :|

  • dizzle on 23/05/2022 - 20:26
    +5

    Is it full time/part time/casual. That will likely make a difference.

    However, in most cases I think it would be a choice between using holiday leave or unpaid leave. If you can't work on your own, then it's like the workplace is shutdown. A lot of businesses closed during lockdowns and staff had no choice but to use leave.

    Or, as you said, see if the owner has a friend that needs help.

  • morse on 23/05/2022 - 20:33
    +1

    If full time or part time status I’d say they still have to pay you, but you will probably encourage you to use another type of leave. If you don’t get any income you might be eligible for something through Centrelink. Apprentices often are.

  • Godric on 23/05/2022 - 20:36

    Do you have an employment agreement or off the books?

    • helichopta on 25/05/2022 - 06:33

      Have a contract. I believe all apprentices have one through an apprenticeship provider.

  • mapax on 23/05/2022 - 20:37
    +2

    Have you tried to ring the training organisation that placed you?

    • helichopta on 25/05/2022 - 06:31

      Not yet. I belive I have the answer though.

  • Andy22 on 23/05/2022 - 20:55
    -1

    Simple: Get covid and claim $ from the government :D

    • cookie2 on 23/05/2022 - 21:36
      -1

      I don't think you get covid payments anymore.

  • jenki on 23/05/2022 - 21:03
    +1

    Many work contracts (even permanent full time) state that a business can stand employees down without pay IF for reasons out of their control they can't operate or conduct business. E.g. during a pandemic, terrorism activity, power outage, flooding etc

    It's hard to say without seeing your contract. Sorry you're going through this :(

  • pharkurnell on 23/05/2022 - 21:41

    What has the boss said?

    • Nugs on 24/05/2022 - 06:55
      +4

      Ask ozbargain
      .

      • AndyC1 on 24/05/2022 - 10:58
        -1

        And then do not answer any questions people ask so they can help.

    • AndyC1 on 24/05/2022 - 21:58
      +1

      Silence like OP…..

  • sharkyoz on 23/05/2022 - 23:44
    +2

    If you are an indentured apprentice you should get paid full wage, bosses responsibility.

  • AndyC1 on 24/05/2022 - 10:57

    Another OP gone AWAL.

    • Nugs on 24/05/2022 - 10:59

      get in the chopta
      .

    • pharkurnell on 24/05/2022 - 14:05
      +1

      Went back to work

  • Vote for Pedro on 28/05/2022 - 14:09

    Ask your union

  • Esky85 on 01/06/2022 - 14:18

    Do you have some sort of TAFE/Employer/Apprentice agreement? A sort of training contract the employer has to sign that says they agree to provide the "practical" aspects of the electrician qualification as part of the apprenticeship?

    Maybe be proactive and ask TAFE to provide you the next block of study material? That way you can get payed to to work through the next theory you are going to have to do anyway?

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