Hi! (Aussie here, German Dad and Convict/ UK ancestors on my Mum's side!) My Mother taught my sister and I to say 'pardon', or 'I beg your pardon', and I taught my children! I work in a school and we follow regulatory legislation to a 'T'! It's imperative that we all act with the highest professionalism in order to protect the students and promote positive learning, strong mental health, and child well-being. That said the students can express themselves safely, wear what they want and call us (the staff) by our first names. There's mutual respect encouraged and learned within our lovely school. Someone I know recently returned from a teaching job in the US and he said that the staff follow laws and legislation in US schools but based on utter fear because the threat of being sued by parents is so real. Everything he did his boss reminded him of this, and he ended up leaving because it was so stressful. I'm not sure if this was just his experience or if this is normal?
As a child growing up in Australia, two important courtesies were hammered into us. Never say “what” …..it’s I beg your pardon, or excuse me. And always put your knife and fork together, with the fork facing up when you have finished your meal, no matter where you are. This would show the waiter that you are finished. Oh, and definitely no elbows on the table!!😂
Hi Ashleigh, whenever I went back to North America on visits, and caught up with family and friends in Canada and the United States, they would eventually ask what jobs and working in Australia is like. I would tell them about working conditions, wages, leave entitlements, working hours and so on. Much of the things covered in your reactions. I stopped doing that when I realised that my North American audiences thought I was gaslighting them. What should be included in the work/life balance conversation is Australian health care. We in Australia don't go bankrupt because of a major health issue. Don't get me wrong. There are many great things I like about America. But health care ain't one of them.
I work in early childhood education in NSW and a standard work shift is 8.5 hours, with an unpaid 30 minute break (we’re allowed to leave the premises). I also get a paid tea break which is 15 minutes
I remember when I was on a working holiday in the US (working in a cafe), we had to find someone to cover our shift if we needed a day off. If we couldn't find anyone, we couldn't take the day off. We had a list of staff names and phone numbers on the notice board in the break room for exactly that purpose. That was wild to me. Finding cover for our own shifts, and putting staff phone numbers on display for everyone to see. Both are not things in Australia. Firstly, finding coverage for absentees is the manager's job, and secondly, it is a breach of privacy to give out staff personal phone numbers to other employees.
The new minimum wage per hour is $24.10 on weekdays for Full-timers. Weekend rates are higher too, but personally, I prefer to work casual cuz it’s fewer hours of work and more $ for me. More time for my family too.
When attending Australian conferences, it is normal for more formal (International) English be used in speech and written communications (presentions). That is abstanence from using slang. The further north you go the more work culture changes. For many years, I worked in the bush where you think first, prepare information, tools and instruments and then go out to finish do the job. High speed pressure to finish as soon possible can result in higher risk of not properly finishing the job.
A 38 hour work week is standard in Australia. It can be done in various ways I used to work for 9 1/2 hours shifts a week which was brilliant however most people work 5 days a week 7.6 hours shifts.
In the APS (Australian Public Service) standard work hours would be 8:30 to 12:30 then 1:30 to 4:51 (or 5pm in some departments). But hardly anyone works that way, because we have flex time, where you just have to clock in 7 hr 21 min a day and if you work more than that, you build up flex time, which you can take later. When you reach middle management, you get something else called TOIL, but that's slightly different. It's a good system in my opinion. I'm not encouraged to work more than my standard hours, otherwise I build up a flex balance, which I'm entitled to take. The APS is very hierarchical, but I can call a senior manager, say, John instead of Mr Smith. That's just how it is in Australia. We're not big on formalities like that. The handshake thing varies but I feel like since covid, some people have gone funny about handshakes. It's not uncommon though.
By the way, the AU$ is not "doing horribly" compared to the US$. It didn't start at parity and is simply worth what it's worth. It was for a year or so worth more than the US$ but that was just after the GFC and the US started "quantitative easing" (printing $$ which reduced its value). When we changed to decimal currency in 1966 the AU$ was set against the UK£ at around UK£0.64.
Your comment about not receiving overtime as a retail manager is common as most likely your on a salary and not a wage (theres a difference) so generally salaried employees would get time in lieu for any overtime worked which is the case throughout my hotel career as I was always on a salary so never got overtime either. Usually managers are offered salary and any front line staff are on a wage.
Best job I had was 12hr shifts 6am -6pm only 3 shifts per week ie Wed Thurs Fri for a full weeks pay!! 3days On 4 days OFF!! hows that for work/life balance :) Hardly anyone took sickies or even annual leave (6weeks + 3 days AL) because you didnt need to
Ashleigh did you realise that 40 hour week started right here in Melbourne so the first place in the world there is a like a statue that has a ball on like a pole with 888 on it for 8 hours of sleep 8 hours of work and 8 hours of rest it's on the corner of Victoria St and Lygon St or around near there
Yes 8 hour day was first introduced in Victoria in the 1850s. Now retired, I worked shift work, a 35 hour week, Saturday was time and a half first 3 hours then double time, Sunday and Public Holidays double time, Xmas Day triple time. 5 weeks annual leave from day one, 3 months fully paid long service leave after 10 years in addition to your annual leave. Paid Maternity/ paternity leave, generous sick leave, and bereavement leave.
This is not true, Australian employment law can be quite complex because of our constitution and how powers are allocated between federal and state administrations. Because powers over corporations are allocated to the federal sphere, federal law tends to dominate in large business employment but you can be tripped up if you think everything is federal.
All Australian workers are entitled to a minimum wage. This is the least you can be paid for doing a certain job. It's illegal for an employer to pay you less than the minimum wage. As of 1 July 2024, the national minimum wage is $24.10 an hour or $915.90 a week (if you work 38 hours).
Healthcare. US spends almost 20% of GDP on Health Care yet doesn't have Universal access. The rest of the developed world (including Australia, UK, Canada, New Zealand, most of Europe) spends around 10% or less, yet provides universal access. Yet I hear some Americans critical of this, thinking their system is the best....
Australia has changed so much culturally in the past 75 years for the better, from removing the white Australia policy and giving our First Nation people citizenship and the right to vote not that long ago. We are still growing up and becoming a far better place to be. Always proud to be Australian even with all its problems
I say whats that, what did you say sorry, what's that mate? etcetera 😅. Western Sydney is a little bit more rough. Honestly if anyone you meet is getting offended by that in Australia, they're snobs, not from Australia or have never been to real Australia. No genuine Aussie would care!
Hi! (Aussie here, German Dad and Convict/ UK ancestors on my Mum's side!) My Mother taught my sister and I to say 'pardon', or 'I beg your pardon', and I taught my children!
I work in a school and we follow regulatory legislation to a 'T'! It's imperative that we all act with the highest professionalism in order to protect the students and promote positive learning, strong mental health, and child well-being. That said the students can express themselves safely, wear what they want and call us (the staff) by our first names. There's mutual respect encouraged and learned within our lovely school.
Someone I know recently returned from a teaching job in the US and he said that the staff follow laws and legislation in US schools but based on utter fear because the threat of being sued by parents is so real. Everything he did his boss reminded him of this, and he ended up leaving because it was so stressful. I'm not sure if this was just his experience or if this is normal?
As a child growing up in Australia, two important courtesies were hammered into us. Never say “what” …..it’s I beg your pardon, or excuse me. And always put your knife and fork together, with the fork facing up when you have finished your meal, no matter where you are. This would show the waiter that you are finished. Oh, and definitely no elbows on the table!!😂
Hi Ashley how are you happy Wednesday afternoon to you and I hope you having amazing day and you are amazing supporter
Hi Ashleigh, whenever I went back to North America on visits, and caught up with family and friends in Canada and the United States, they would eventually ask what jobs and working in Australia is like. I would tell them about working conditions, wages, leave entitlements, working hours and so on. Much of the things covered in your reactions. I stopped doing that when I realised that my North American audiences thought I was gaslighting them.
What should be included in the work/life balance conversation is Australian health care. We in Australia don't go bankrupt because of a major health issue. Don't get me wrong. There are many great things I like about America. But health care ain't one of them.
yes so so true! no going bankrupt over medical bills in Aus which is amazing
I work in early childhood education in NSW and a standard work shift is 8.5 hours, with an unpaid 30 minute break (we’re allowed to leave the premises). I also get a paid tea break which is 15 minutes
I remember when I was on a working holiday in the US (working in a cafe), we had to find someone to cover our shift if we needed a day off. If we couldn't find anyone, we couldn't take the day off. We had a list of staff names and phone numbers on the notice board in the break room for exactly that purpose. That was wild to me. Finding cover for our own shifts, and putting staff phone numbers on display for everyone to see. Both are not things in Australia. Firstly, finding coverage for absentees is the manager's job, and secondly, it is a breach of privacy to give out staff personal phone numbers to other employees.
such a good point! in the US it’s on the staff to find coverage
The new minimum wage per hour is $24.10 on weekdays for Full-timers. Weekend rates are higher too, but personally, I prefer to work casual cuz it’s fewer hours of work and more $ for me. More time for my family too.
When attending Australian conferences, it is normal for more formal (International) English be used in speech and written communications (presentions). That is abstanence from using slang. The further north you go the more work culture changes. For many years, I worked in the bush where you think first, prepare information, tools and instruments and then go out to finish do the job. High speed pressure to finish as soon possible can result in higher risk of not properly finishing the job.
A 38 hour work week is standard in Australia. It can be done in various ways I used to work for 9 1/2 hours shifts a week which was brilliant however most people work 5 days a week 7.6 hours shifts.
having been to the US a few times, the one thing that stood out was as soon as i speak the reaction was wow your Australian
In the APS (Australian Public Service) standard work hours would be 8:30 to 12:30 then 1:30 to 4:51 (or 5pm in some departments). But hardly anyone works that way, because we have flex time, where you just have to clock in 7 hr 21 min a day and if you work more than that, you build up flex time, which you can take later.
When you reach middle management, you get something else called TOIL, but that's slightly different.
It's a good system in my opinion. I'm not encouraged to work more than my standard hours, otherwise I build up a flex balance, which I'm entitled to take.
The APS is very hierarchical, but I can call a senior manager, say, John instead of Mr Smith. That's just how it is in Australia. We're not big on formalities like that.
The handshake thing varies but I feel like since covid, some people have gone funny about handshakes. It's not uncommon though.
By the way, the AU$ is not "doing horribly" compared to the US$. It didn't start at parity and is simply worth what it's worth. It was for a year or so worth more than the US$ but that was just after the GFC and the US started "quantitative easing" (printing $$ which reduced its value). When we changed to decimal currency in 1966 the AU$ was set against the UK£ at around UK£0.64.
Your comment about not receiving overtime as a retail manager is common as most likely your on a salary and not a wage (theres a difference) so generally salaried employees would get time in lieu for any overtime worked which is the case throughout my hotel career as I was always on a salary so never got overtime either. Usually managers are offered salary and any front line staff are on a wage.
fair point!
Best job I had was 12hr shifts 6am -6pm only 3 shifts per week ie Wed Thurs Fri for a full weeks pay!! 3days On 4 days OFF!! hows that for work/life balance :) Hardly anyone took sickies or even annual leave (6weeks + 3 days AL) because you didnt need to
oh wow! must’ve been nice
Conversion rates mean nothing. It’s relative to local economy
exactly!!
Handshakes not so common since Covid
They are coming back :)
Ashleigh did you realise that 40 hour week started right here in Melbourne so the first place in the world there is a like a statue that has a ball on like a pole with 888 on it for 8 hours of sleep 8 hours of work and 8 hours of rest it's on the corner of Victoria St and Lygon St or around near there
i didn’t realize! thanks for the fun fact
Yes 8 hour day was first introduced in Victoria in the 1850s.
Now retired, I worked shift work, a 35 hour week, Saturday was time and a half first 3 hours then double time, Sunday and Public Holidays double time, Xmas Day triple time. 5 weeks annual leave from day one, 3 months fully paid long service leave after 10 years in addition to your annual leave. Paid Maternity/ paternity leave, generous sick leave, and bereavement leave.
If you are full-time and you work more than 38 hrs, your employer will pay you an overtime rate. The rate is x2 of your regular weekday rate.
your getting better looking
All employment laws are commonwealth in origin. Ie, federal. If you have not gone to website and read it,do so.
This is not true, Australian employment law can be quite complex because of our constitution and how powers are allocated between federal and state administrations. Because powers over corporations are allocated to the federal sphere, federal law tends to dominate in large business employment but you can be tripped up if you think everything is federal.
All Australian workers are entitled to a minimum wage. This is the least you can be paid for doing a certain job. It's illegal for an employer to pay you less than the minimum wage. As of 1 July 2024, the national minimum wage is $24.10 an hour or $915.90 a week (if you work 38 hours).
Break time. "Smoko". 😜
Healthcare.
US spends almost 20% of GDP on Health Care yet doesn't have Universal access.
The rest of the developed world (including Australia, UK, Canada, New Zealand, most of Europe) spends around 10% or less, yet provides universal access.
Yet I hear some Americans critical of this, thinking their system is the best....
Australia has changed so much culturally in the past 75 years for the better, from removing the white Australia policy and giving our First Nation people citizenship and the right to vote not that long ago. We are still growing up and becoming a far better place to be. Always proud to be Australian even with all its problems
so fair! every country has its issues
I say whats that, what did you say sorry, what's that mate? etcetera 😅. Western Sydney is a little bit more rough. Honestly if anyone you meet is getting offended by that in Australia, they're snobs, not from Australia or have never been to real Australia. No genuine Aussie would care!
Fancy listening to employment advice or workplace advice from an Indian.
TRADYS ARE 7-3
Nice Vacuum
kmart 🤣
Are you a marine biologist?
yes! i research seals and seabirds