Awards
Most young workers in NSW will be employed under a State award. Others may work under a federal award.
Awards are legal documents which set out the minimum entitlements you must receive for working in a particular industry or doing a certain job.
Some of these entitlements include:
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hours to be worked
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pay rates
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penalty rates – like overtime
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casual loadings
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meal allowances
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leave entitlements (for example, how many days of holiday you'll get each year).
Awards also set out your general responsibilities as an employee.
Your employer must pay you at least what you are entitled to under the award that applies to your job.
Displaying awards in the workplace
NSW law states that your employer must display a copy of the relevant award in your workplace so that you can see what your wages and entitlements are.
Benefits of an award
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They provide minimum conditions of employment and rates of pay that apply across an industry or occupation and these cannot be reduced by the employer and are legally enforceable.
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They must contain 'provisions' that set some important things like:
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ordinary hours of employment
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pay equity between males and females
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sick leave
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information on part-time and casual employment
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grievance and dispute resolution procedures.
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They contain pay rates that are reviewed annually by the Industrial Relations Commission.
