Dear Member,

HSU members at Presbyterian Aged Care Thornleigh have come together to report work health and safety breaches and inappropriate conduct from management.

In January, Presbyterian Aged Care Thornleigh made the following unlawful directive to staff:

“If we have two people call in sick for an AM shift we will not be replacing them, however if is a third person calling in sick then only this one person would be replaced.

“If we have one person call in sick in for the pm shift, we will not be replacing them, however if there would be a second person calling in sick then only this one person would be replaced”.

HSU members immediately called out the unlawful directive and the union wrote to management to raise concerns.

A month later, management announced it would be replacing all sick staff, but demanded workers provide eight hours’ notice ahead of calling in sick. The HSU reminded them sick staff don’t need to provide eight hours’ notice as per your enterprise agreement.

Presbyterian management ignored the request to reverse the direction, prompting the HSU to file a dispute in the Fair Work Commission on March 4. HSU members won the dispute.

Presbyterian management agreed to revoke the directives and send an apology prepared by the HSU to all staff.

This only occurred because HSU members raised the issue and stood up for their rights. It shows the importance of being part of the HSU to ensure you are supported in the workplace.  

Encourage your workmates to join the HSU. Together you have strength in your workplace. New members can join online at www.hsu.asn.au/join or call 1300 478 679.