Senior Associate, Natasha Letchford, has commented in an article published by Personnel Today about the Workers (Predictable Terms and Conditions) Act 2023, which allows casual workers to request more stable work patterns, has received mixed reactions.
While it is seen as a positive step towards improving the quality of casual work, critics argue that it does not guarantee workers will be granted more stable contracts. The Act only obliges employers to consider such requests, but they can refuse on various grounds like cost or insufficient work during the proposed hours.
Natasha writes: "In many cases, employers will be able to identify one or more of the reasons to refuse a request and provided they do not act unreasonably or in a discriminatory manner, it will be difficult for a worker to challenge the decision".
Some experts believe the Act could be improved by addressing pay issues and introducing measures like reasonable notice of work schedules and compensation for last-minute shift cancellations.
Read the full article here.
