Employer forcing unpaid hours

[Katters]

You can call industrial relations in your state- it's illegal.

But as you mentioned- what leaves you better off financially? Honestly if it was me, id just not turn up and cop a written warning.

When they give it to you, make sure it's in writing. You have the right to keep a record of conversation as well during the discussion, and have the other party (your manager) sign off on it as being an accurate representation of the discussion.

They're also required to give you 24 hours notice before having a performance discussion and you have the right to bring along any support person you like (from in or out of work).
If they breach any of that, just keep it documented and pull them up on it. They stop trying it on pretty fast if you sound like you know the HR side of their attempted 'performance management.'

[Mel_B1981]

That's what I keep thinking - it HAS to be illegal. Forcing us to attend this means 12 working days straight without any days off.

They even expect us to do extended hours over the weekend - normal working hours are 9:00AM - 5:30PM (My hours are 8:00AM- 5:30PM thanks to their inflexibility).....hours over the weekend are: 8:15AM - 10PM (Breakfast, lunch and dinner are being included in the days events).

So want outta here but it just makes no sense leaving now with IVF so close around the corner. Feeling so trapped with no way out.

[Rowellen]

It sounds like they are completely unethical. I'd be tempted to forego maternity leave for a different job. If what you say is right, you might even be better off. Surely you could get a better pay rate elsewhere? I think you probably could based on your comment that you are 2ic but being paid admin assistant rates.

I'd also be tempted to take a warning instead especially if it was the first one.

[Mel_B1981]

It sounds like they are completely unethical. I'd be tempted to forego maternity leave for a different job. If what you say is right, you might even be better off. Surely you could get a better pay rate elsewhere? I think you probably could based on your comment that you are 2ic but being paid admin assistant rates.

I'd also be tempted to take a warning instead especially if it was the first one.

My concern with trying to find closer to home is that we live in remote rural victoria. To have my current job we travel 100KM each way. We spend over $1,000 a month on petrol alone - JUST to get to/from work. Everytime I've looked closer to home, there's been nothing, otherwise I would have left 3 years ago when we moved to our little country oasis.

I've been given several larger pay rises, just I'm still on the award for admin. The average pay rise here is $2000-3000 a year. My last pay rise (2011) was $4000 wages + $2000 increase on commission (helps if you GET *****in' commision though!!!). This years pay rise was only $200 a year to bring my salary back up to award rates for my experience level.