Frequently Asked Questions The following are the most commonly asked queries from our members. Which Health Union covers me? If you are a support worker in the health industry, working as a nurse, a personal carer, a health technician, a disability support worker (in the non governement sector), a clerk, in food and environmental services or if you work in senior administrative and Professional positions, you are covered by the HSU Victorian Branch. If you are a health professional working in public or private health and community services, such as disability services and private practices, including physiotherapy and radiology you are covered by the HSU Health Professionals. As the majority of HSU members are employed under either the HASA public or the HASA private sector awards most of the answers relate to those awards. If you would like to know which AWARD you work under, the WAGENET website will enable you to find out.
How do I check that my hourly rate of pay is correct?
Check the hourly rate on your pay slip and if you know your skill level, compare it with the corresponding skill level chart that appears at the back of your award. You can access a copy of your Award via the Wages and Conditions section. What rate do I get paid for working weekends?
If you are a full time or part time worker and you are rostered to work an ordinary shift on a Saturday or Sunday then from midnight Friday to midnight Sunday there is a 50% penalty for hours worked. If I do duties at a higher skill level do I get paid for it?
Yes. If you work in the public sector and work more than one hour at a higher skill level then all hours worked on that day are paid at that higher rate. The same applies or private sector members but they have to work more than 2 hours at the higher classification to be eligible for the above. How many weeks annual leave do I get per year?
If you are a Monday to Friday worker, a day or evening worker then your entitlement is four weeks annual leave. If you are a shift worker then entitlements to the extra weeks leave is as follows: If you worked an ordinary rostered shift of 4 hours or more on 10 weekends or more in your anniversary year then the fifth week is applicable. Ie: weekend means between the hours of midnight Friday and midnight Sunday. See chart for entitlement; Hyperlink annual leave accrual per pay period chart from back of award) What is my long service leave entitlement?
Entitlement is 26 weeks long service leave after 15 years completed service but you may apply for long service leave after the completion of 10 years - for which your pro-rata entitlement is 17 weeks. The taking of long service leave between the tenth and fifteenth year is by mutual agreement.
If a public holiday falls whilst on long-service leave what am I paid?
If you are on long service leave and a public holiday falls whilst on long service leave there is no entitlement .NB. Wherever possible do not take long service leave over the Christmas or Easter period. What is family leave?
You are eligible for family leave if you have to stay at home and care for a child that is ill or a member of your family or a person of the household. What is my entitlement?
Pay for the purpose of Family leave is taken from your sick leave credits. You are entitled to use any sick leave accrued since November 1998.
Your employer may say that you are only entitled for 5 days per anniversary year. This is incorrect as in the HASA Award there is no restriction. In other Awards ie: Nurses Award you are restricted to 5 days a year. What sick leave am I entitled to?
If I am a full time worker then I am entitled to one days sick leave for each completed calendar month in my first year. In my second, third and fourth year, 14 days per year and 5th year and thereafter 21 days per year. (See sick leave chart.) What is compassionate leave?
Compassionate Leave can be taken on the death of a relative or next of kin both within Australia and overseas. Can also be used for serious illness of immediate relative or next of kin within Australia. Entitlement is 2 ordinary working days on each occasion maximum of 4 days per anniversary year. This is not to be confused with carers/family leave. What rate am I paid if I work a public holiday?
Under the HASA Public and Private Sector Awards, double time and a half. NB: Public Holidays rates are applicable from midnight to midnight of the day in question.. If it is my rostered day off on a public holiday do I get paid?
If you are a full time worker and it is your normal rostered day off, then you will be paid time and a half. If you are a part time worker and never work the day that the public holiday falls you receive no payment. If you ordinarily work that day, ie: If you worked on that day 50% or more of the time for the previous year and are not paid for the day, contact the union. If I am not required to work on a public holiday what do I get paid?
If you are not required to attend work on the day that the public holiday falls if you normally rostered to work the day that the holiday falls then you will be paid a days ordinary pay. If I am on an annual leave and a public holiday falls whilst on annual leave what am I paid?
If a public holiday falls on your annual leave then it will be paid at ordinary time and that day will not come out of your annual leave credits. If I am a shift worker when do the different shift penalties apply?
If you commence or cease work between 6pm and 6.30 am, any work during those times attracts a shift penalty. I am employed as a casual what are my entitlements?
If you work between midnight Sunday and midnight Friday 125%.
If you work between midnight Friday and midnight Sunday 175%.
Casual workers do not accrue annual leave and sick leave but under most of our Awards you do accrue entitlements towards long service leave.
Rest Breaks
What is my entitlement each day?
Under most of the Awards, for every 4 hours worked and part thereof beyond 1 hour, you are entitled to a 10 minute rest break which is paid.
Workcover
Workers who get injured at work, no matter how minor you consider the injury must report it immediately. Reports can be made either in the accident report book or via the incident reporting system applicable to your workplace.
How do I claim WorkCover if I am injured at work?
http://www.workcover.vic.gov.au/dir090/vwa/home.nsf/pages/employer_claim_checklist Superannuation Funds
There are 2 Superannuation funds in Health. They are HEALTHSUPER (mainly Public) and HESTA (mainly Private). Contact details here:
HEALTH SUPER: 1800 33 17 19 www.healthsuper.com.au
HESTA: 1800 813 327 www.hesta.com.au
What is my employer obliged to contribute to my super fund?
9% of your total salary excluding overtime, and some allowances ie: tool, laundry, uniform allowance.
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