Payment required
If you are expected to be at work you should expect to be paid.
This not paying workers for staff training etc is not new.
However, this practice needs to be stopped and workers need to be paid where there is an expectation (stated or implied) to attend training or other activities that are in anyway work related.
My experience
Back in the early 90’s I worked for Dick Smith (an electronics retail store) part time on Saturday mornings (maximum of 4 hours per week) and I still had to attend compulsory staff training on Monday evenings in my own time and unpaid. these training sessions were basically a staff meeting which lasted sometimes over an hour.
I should say I was good at my job, I was making good sales and I liked my work even though the wages were low.
At the time I was on a training course as I had been out of work for about a year and this job was just to help get by. (yes it was declared income to Work and Income).
After a few months of questioning why I should attend the compulsory training and asking why I was not being paid for it, feeling completely undervalued I walked out.
The complete frustration and cost involved to get to the meetings lead me to the point when I just handed back my uniform at the end of a Saturday and walked off.
Paying staff appropriately for the work they do is vital for the whole of the community. This also means paying a living wage (not just minimum wage).
By asking workers to do work related things unpaid diminishes them financially, personally and morally.
If you find you are in this situation where your employer is not paying you appropriately please talk to your Union (if you are not a member let me encourage you to join) or at least talk to your local Community Law Centre for advice, or contact The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
If you are an employer doing this practice, stop it now and pay your staff. Perhaps reorganise your schedule to allow training to happen during normal operating hours (not lunch breaks or tea breaks). Be creative and ask your staff what would work for them.
South Dunedin Busking Festival 2018
South Dunedin Busking Festival 2018
King Edward Street
South Dunedin
All images in this video viewable on Flickr
Check out southdunedin.org.nz
Images and music ©Paul S Allen 2018
http://www.thewaterside.co.nz
https://www.facebook.com/nothingperfectnz
Walk Away – Paul S Allen – Live at Dee’s Café
Performed live at Dee’s Café, Princes St, Dunedin, NZ on Friday 8 December 2017 Walk Away
Words and Music ©Paul S Allen 2016
https://www.reverbnation.com/paulsallen
Cold Wind Blows – Live songwriting
What you will watch in the video is my song writing process in action.
All I had at the start were just two chords and the words “Cold Wind Blows” the rest is improvised as I go. No second take.
Yes I record each songwriting session – it is a great way to remember the intention of the moment. Video is even better as I can see the chords I use too.
I will now tidy up the lyrics a bit.
(yes for those who know Dunedin I know the Nor-West wind is a warm wind I will change it to Nor-East – the biting cold one straight down the harbour)
Words and Music ©Paul S Allen 2017
