COLES SHUNS WORKING MOTHERS!!!
We have been contacted by many Coles Retail Workers who have expressed there disbelief and anger that they cannot return to their work on a part time basis, when they try to return after a period of maternity leave, despite there being provision for this in their EBA.
Why are Coles so determined to cast working mothers aside in order to meet their SDR Targets. Despite the promise to these workers that they will be able to return to their jobs once they finish maternity leave.
We have received conformation from a maternal health nurse that a great many mothers that visit her are upset and confused as to why they can't return to their jobs, as they were promised by their Manager, and allowed for in their EBA.
Australians have rallied and won the right to have Mothers supported with the right to take Maternity Leave, the Paid Parental Leave scheme and legislation that return to work and the right to have your job to return to protected in EBA's.
WHY do Coles think that at such an important time in a Mothers life they want to drag working women back to the dark ages, and discriminate against them for choosing to have Children???
Below is a copy of the Maternity Leave Clause taken from the Fair Work Website
1.12 Part-time work
The following provisions apply to full-time and part-time team members only.
1.12.1 Entitlement
(a) A team member may work part-time in one or more periods at any time from
the date of birth of the child until its second birthday or, in relation to adoption,
from the date of placement of the child until the second anniversary of the
placement.
(b) A female team member may work part-time in one or more periods while she is
pregnant where part-time employment is, because of the pregnancy, necessary
or desirable.
Notwithstanding the above, a team member who is a parent of a child may request in
writing for a change in working arrangements if the child is under school age. Such change
is subject to the terms of clause 5.3.7 of this Agreement.
1.12.8 Nature of part-time work
Where possible, a team member returning to work part-time under this provision shall
perform the work of his or her former position. Where this is not possible, the work shall
be work otherwise performed under this Agreement.
As a Coles Mother looking to return to work in the next 6 months I am scared that it will be a nightmare to return to my job. Why is the Company not sympathetic to the needs of working Mothers??
ReplyDeleteBecause they consider working mothers as a burden on the Company. Wanting to return part time doesn't suit the hours we need. Wanting to return to your same job when you return adds hours to the store and blows the company SDR Hours, and will upset the person who is on the limited tenure contract to replace you because they have decided that they like your job better than theirs. It sickens me that not only does the company stuff us around, our fellow workmates stab us in the back and try and take our job.
DeleteHad my baby about 1 year ago and want to go back to work the store has told me that there are no hours avalible there reason is that I signed that I would nOt be back until November so they don't have to find me hours rang the union they said that they did but the store still says they don't really frustrated and now I don't even won't to go back to that store feeling very victimised
Deleteto me this sounds as if coles has a bullying policy in place and the union knowing this seems to be turning a blind eye
DeleteAre You Back at work yet? If you have had no success, email the RRRSDA group. I believe their email is westajm@gmail.com
DeleteDoes Cole's pay a separate maternity leave payment to the government paid parental leave payment?
ReplyDeleteNo, Coles don't have a seperate policy for paid maternity leave
DeleteI have been at coles for just under 5years and I have been told repeatedly that I cannot progress further that what I am as I am unavailable at anytime, as I have kids.
DeleteI worked my tail off night after night, with no recognition for getting the work done, just over looked repeatedly. To top it off I am perm/part time but RARELY get any extra shifts other than my contracted hours, as they always seem to ring the same people (the favourites) to cover any sick employee or extra shifts. Makes me wonder why I even bother. I am constantly letting them know I am available..Might have to contact union.