Our work (supermarket) new owners. Do I still have a job there?

[Caz1971]

Found out a couple weeks ago, that our current owners/bosses have sold our IGA. I work in admin and also down in the deli/registers part time.

We are all worried that we will eventually lose our jobs.

The new owners, are like five families. Also have lots of kids/relo's etc.

We've been told that we are safe, but we cant help but think we will be kicked out.
The new boss (the wife) has even started training in the deli. She wants to learn my admin job too (she said so when im sick/on hols she can help)...

My work is just a 10 min walk! Would I be crazy to look for work or just wait and see?

Has this happened to anyone before??? Thanks.

[Astrid]

Have a look a the Fair Work site about terminations and redundancies, just to educate yourself.

It does make good business sense that the owners do learn about the business, sometimes that can be good for everyone as they sometimes implement some much needed changes. Other times, of course, it can not be great for the staff.

Hope it is all fine for you and that if they do decide to move you on, that they at least give you a payout. Best of luck.

[Floweryfields]

I worked for a 4Square supermarket and the owners sold out about 7 years ago. We were made redundant - all had to receive termination payouts which they had fairwork (or whoever it is) calculate those payments for the staff.
I was rehired by the new owners as were some of the other staff, however only as a casual not permanent, that suited me fine as I was earning more money and left soon to come to my current job, after anyway.

I think the new owners are well within their rights not to hire any pre existing staff as it is under new management and to be honest with you, it would be pretty negligent for them not to want to learn the bones of their new business - so don't be scared that means they are doing it to short shift you.

[Caz1971]

Ye we are getting our holiday/sick leave paid out. Then I think its like we starting from scratch re our wages. (crap)

The new owners have about five 7/Elevens, and have no clue how to manage / work in a supermarket, so I'm hoping that the existing staff (us) would be helpful and keep most of us. The old boss did say that they may cut our hours - I just do about 12 per week (plus extra on saturdays) so Id def. need to leave if Im being cut.

In saying, the IGA has been going down the gurgler. I dont know where to start. Bad meat, chicken etc... I think its a nationality thing and the fact that they are vegetarians...

[Doodlebug]

Holiday leave and sick leave are one thing to get paid out, that would mean you would be 'starting again'.

My question would be where would this leave you in terms of redundancy payouts? If you've now been with them a week, you'll get no payout, where if you've been with the actual IGA store for 5yrs you would. Make sense?

Also, does your Long Service Leave still accrue from now or would this be backdated to your commencement with the store?

Good luck!