I worked as Manager at a bar until yesterday... everyone that worked there got messages saying "sorry...all shifts cancelled" we were told by sms message!
I was told "all shifts cancelled... locks changed call ASAP"
Now the owner will not answer her mobile phone ... we want to know when we will be paid (should have been today). Finding it hard not to 'hate' - and very annoyed on behalf of all those people that felt they worked for me and have not been paid. I have the business fax number and know she runs 2 other restaurants.. I dont want to storm down and scream blue murder... what would you do? (btw I am in Australia)
2006-07-26 01:23:51 · 33 answers · asked by thevagabondster 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
NO Contract of work... technically we were all 'casuals' (tax avoidance on her part) casual labour have virtually no rights here in Australia. WE sign in and out on a piece of paper that she has, not allot to back up our claims... I wont be here long enough to go through a tribunal anyway as I am moving on from Australia (this is one straw too many).
2006-07-26 01:28:06 · update #1
..this happened yesterday.. I got a temp job today but still feel really irritated by the whole thing..
2006-07-26 01:33:15 · update #2
celtic_colieen .. thnx for feedback, as for recognition for working there, I still control the website which i designed for her (free as a favour).. so cant take that away http://www.crazymamabar.com
2006-07-26 01:52:12 · update #3
That is a shitty way to be told the fate of your job. But, maybe SMS text was the fastest way to alert people not to come in for their shifts. Don't act hastily- there may be something seriously wrong and it might not be what you think. Give it a bit of time to sort things out. If you act now and "scream blue murder," you might regret your actions later about how you composed yourself. If you find out in time that you have a reason to scream "blue murder," then do it then (and make it good, girl!)
2006-07-26 01:27:40 · answer #1 · answered by kogirl 2 · 6⤊ 0⤋
Well, you haven't technically been fired.
Get in contact with the owner however you can. Go to the other restaurants, ask what's going on. Ask nicely and politely first, and talk about resolving the issues. Don't go storming in the other places, or yelling, it will only aggravate the situation; and give the owner an excuse to fire you for real.
If the owner is not in the other restaurants, leave a letter to her with the managers there. Keep trying to get in touch. Send a professionally written fax.
Try to resolve this with the owner first, before taking it further, and making any complaints. I think you could take this to court. Find out how the system of complaints works, talk to an attorney.
2006-07-26 01:32:31 · answer #2 · answered by 3 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow, I'm glad you found a temp job - how horrible. I think txt messaging everyone that they don't have a job any more is the lamest, most cowardly thing I've ever heard of a boss doing. What is she, in hiding? Is the mob after her?
You have a right to your pay. In the US, we have small claims court (DIY court, and very cheap to file a claim, max claim of like $2,000), and that would be a good recourse. Do you have that there?
At a minimum, blow her in to the tax authorities, unless you can't because you would owe taxes, too. What the heck, I'd track her down at her restaurants and demand your pay.
2006-07-26 02:30:42 · answer #3 · answered by locolady98 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like these people had some serious financial trouble and had to shut the place down unexpectedly and really quickly. If they owe wages to you and to others, I would think you should have some sort of legal recourse, even if it involves going to small claims court (assuming they have such a thing in Australia.) As for all the other, I think when you work for a small business like this and don't have a union or anything, it's hard to stop them from acting like creeps, if that's what they want to do.
2006-07-26 01:32:41 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am not sure about the laws in Australia but here in Canada there are definite laws to protect employees from unscrupulous employers......it appears as if you former employer requires some lessons with her People Skills....I am sure she has the same problem with her other businesses as well...i would advise the other employees, at the other businesses, in a relaxed manner, that the same could happen to then and to be on guard...but confronting your ex employer is not the way to go...check out what Government agency is available to help you...let them hassle her...you won't have to....
2006-07-26 01:31:16 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go over to the other two restaurants and get the word to the employees there so they don't get blind-sided too. Make up some signs with sarcastic slogans on them, wear face masks of animals and go protest in front of one of the restaurants. Be sure to get all the others who were fired and call a few local TV crews.
2006-07-26 01:31:05 · answer #6 · answered by Zelda Hunter 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Casual labour gets casual treatment unfortunately, you don`t have the rights of a fully employed person. If the cow had gave me the push in that manner, she may well have use of the number for the local fire department. Has she no common courtesy? Nasty, plain cowardness.
2006-07-26 01:36:31 · answer #7 · answered by dingdong 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure what the labour laws are down there, but you and your co-workers may want to band together and consult one asap.
As for causing a scene at one of her other joints...I wouldn't but on the other hand she did ask you to 'call'.....so do what feels right.
As for ethics....she's slime...you can't treat people like that expect that there won't be consequences.
Good Luck!
2006-07-26 01:34:23 · answer #8 · answered by baciandrio 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That actually happened to someone i know (Ireland). He felt so shocked and angry that he consulted with a solicitor. They checked out his contract of employment and it stated that he could only be sacked or resign if!!! Notice was in writing and 4 weeks prior to resignation/sacking. So his solicitor contacted his employer, telling them he had every right to sue! For unfair dismissal and the company apologized. OK they sent him a letter of termination but and because of the solicitor's action, gave him 2 months money instead of 1!
it's a new practice (Disgusting) but most employers don't realize that their contracts haven't been amended. so check yours out because it might well give you some means of bargaining with your employer!
godd luck
2006-07-26 01:28:41 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do they have a news station there that has a consumer advocate type person? Maybe getting the owner and your story splashed all over the city would help. By the way, that sucks and it's really chickenshit!
2006-07-26 01:27:59 · answer #10 · answered by sparkletina 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋