Are they allowed to do this?

[slyder]

The facial hair thing isn't uncommon, even if it is a bit poncey.

As for the flights, probably a bit tight on their part, but not surprising for a big chain. A flight from Canberra to Sydney must be pretty cheap? Cheaper than driving nearly?

[maz]

Ive just checked (cause im looking at flights myself atm)

and I did a return trip for one day and its $65 each way

[*LovemyKids*]

I have to say the flight thing is not really fair, considering it would be cheaper for everyone if that person just flew into town for one day and did all the interviewing!

The facial hair does not surprise me. My brother was applying for a job and he had long hair which he had had for the last 10 years and they told him that if he offered the job is he willing to get a short back and sides hair cut. As it was my brothers dream job he said yes and had to cut off all of his hair!!! So yes not uncommon!!!

[*LittleMissSummer*]

He applied for 2 jobs, one at Aldi and one for Chubb. Chubb was the one he REALLY wanted as it would mean no more retail for him and because he would get a handgun LOL he was really excited about that. Unfort he didnt get the Chubb job, he was gutted and then when Aldi showed interested he was excited but only because it would mean more money.

As for driving, he could but his car is off the road at the moment. He needs a new battery, and it needs a good service so its undriveable. And yes $65 may not seem alot to some people but to us and with our money situation thats what buys us food.

He's looking more into jobs in the public service, hes not really all that happy in retail..

Anywho i need him to stay where he is so i can work out my maternity leave, i want to stay on as an employee but i know my SM will write me off and plus he gets a bonus in September a fairly big one so that will help us out alot.

[Muppity]

If he really wants the job then put him on a bus to Sydney - it's not expensive and he could come home the same day (there is one that leaves Sydney later in the evening)

I'm not sure about the maternity leave issue - aren't you casual? It may be easier to find something new once you know what sort of hours you will be wanting to work once the bub comes, rather than pegging your hopes on a job where you say they don't like you.

And with the bonus - September is still 6 months away - do some maths - is the bonus he will get (remember they tax it pretty heavily) more than half of the increase in income he will have if he moves jobs? It may be better to be getting the money earlier.

I wish him luck in the interview if he decides to go for it.

[*LittleMissSummer*]

I'm part time at the moment and because iv been there less than a year i dont get maternity leave. So very soon i will have to go casual. And company policy is i have to work atleast one shift a month to stay on as an employee so i need him to stay there so i don't have to and i don't get let off. I want to return back to working there after 6 months or atleast be able to transfer to a different store within the company so maybe woolies or big w.

[maz]

I have to do this for you man. How many men sit on their bum's and dont do anything to find a job at all. He is trying and I give him full points for that.
And yes...I can see how $65 is alot...I wasnt trying to be mean sorry...just stating how much the flights were.

Has he ever thought about placing his resume in at a bank at all?

[*LittleMissSummer*]

Oh maz, sorry i wasnt trying to sound snippy, its just a bit sad on my part that $65 is alot of money to us.

But yes i do applaud that hes keeping his options open and not sitting on his bum whinging and complaining. The only issue with his job right now is our SM, shes a right cow and causes him so much stress but they've been working well lately hes actually laughing at work now.. but thats always short lived.

He's been having a look at a few different jobs, one i cant for the life of me remember what its for but he gets free gym membership as well as free child care. So i'll be questioning him about that when he gets home.

But hes also worried that if he changes jobs so soon to our bubba coming he wont get time off. He's not able to get paternity leave as he hasnt been in his current position for 12 months but because hes built some good friendships with the other managers he could swing a few weeks off using annual leave or making up lost time later on (so doing 6 day weeks or longer hours) thats something our SM is good with is leave, shes very generous and understands.

[Olive]

remember too that if he earns more money then they would more than make up for you not working that one shift a month

[kitten2b]

my brother pays $15 each way to bus it from Jolimont to Sydney with either Murrays or Greyhound, the buses are frequent and he might not need to stay overnight

[LionsandBears]

With regard to leave - my DH will have less than 12 months in his current job when bub arrives, so won't be entitled to parental leave. He'll be able to take 2 weeks annual leave. Of course I would prefer he be able to take more time off, but given he was miserable in his last job and this job pays more, thems the breaks and I'll rope Mum in to help more if I can't cope. If he hadn't accrued any annual leave, I'd ask him to take leave without pay, even just for a few days, depending on what we could afford.

As Muppity said, do the maths on the new job's pay vs staying for the bonus (which are never guaranteed anyway). Do the maths on net pay (after tax), as bonus payments can sometimes incur extra tax. Also, if he wants out of retail and the opportunity comes up, then he should grab it when it comes, not wait for bonuses etc.

hope it all works out soon

[Visitor7]

But hes also worried that if he changes jobs so soon to our bubba coming he wont get time off. He's not able to get paternity leave as he hasnt been in his current position for 12 months but because hes built some good friendships with the other managers he could swing a few weeks off using annual leave or making up lost time later on (so doing 6 day weeks or longer hours) thats something our SM is good with is leave, shes very generous and understands.

I wouldn't put too much focus on that at the moment. You need to look at the long term. My DH has recently started a new job, so he won't have much annual leave at all when bub arrives. But that's ok, he's home everynight, so that's the main thing. When I had DD1, DH only took 3 days off work as I didn't really need him at home. Not in the very early days anyway.
So try not to put too much focus on that at this stage. If going to a different job means a higher pay, better benefits etc, then he should grab it with both hands.