As COVID really starts to bite in Tasmania and the federal government continues to mismanage aged care we've, unsurprisingly, heard of aged care employers starting to push the envelope.

If you are running into the following issues, it’s important that you know your rights and get in touch with us for help.

Firstly, some aged care workers were told they can’t have a second job and this is a “government directive”. This is wrong. There is no government directive and your boss shouldn’t lie about it. Aged care workers don’t get paid enough to be told they can’t work elsewhere. If this has happened in your workplace, please let us know ASAP.

Second, some workers have been asked to “volunteer” for 12-hour shifts. While this may suit some genuine volunteers, you can’t be made to work 12-hour shifts – it goes against your agreement or award. Some bosses are also being cheap when it comes to overtime and saying everyone has agreed to work flat rate. If you haven’t agreed, and you should be getting overtime, then you should be paid for overtime. They can’t just short-change you by playing the COVID card.

We have to work around lockdowns but we will visit you when and where we can. As always, thank you for all you do for older Australians, and please keep us in the loop if anything comes out of left field at your worksite.