Aussie Childcare Network Forum

Hi I'm just needing some advice on my situation. I've been offered some casual work at a centre, however they never gave me an employment contract. Is this normal? I had to fill out other forms including bank details, super and TFN. But I never actually got a contract of employment.
I got a call from the child care yesterday wanting me to go in for a shift, and the director mentioned on the phone about giving me work for next week as well.
So I worked yesterday for 6 hours, and the director was asking the room leader how I was going and the room leader was really happy with me, but the director said to the room leader that she thought I was a bit quiet. I know I'm a quiet person by nature, but it doesn't affect my work. I chat with the children all day and communicate effectively with the staff, so I don't see how she is bothered by my quiet nature? It seems a bit unfair as I'm a good worker. But at the end of the shift yesterday she didn't mention giving me work for next week which was odd because she seemed quite keen on the phone that morning for giving me more work, but she offered me a shift today to work again.
So I've got another shift today for 8 hours.

Is she just trying to test me out to see if she likes me? It seems really weird also that she didn't give me an employment contract and keeps avoiding talking about my rate of pay. I'm getting really annoyed with her behaviour towards me. I need a regular job so I can complete my diploma and am getting sick of how she's messing me around. I have been offered a casual position also through Goodstart early learning and they seem much better to deal with much more professional. They've been upfront with me with everything, including giving me an employment contract outlining my pay and conditions. And I think I'd rather work for them anyway as there's more opportunities for career progression as they're a big company with 8 centres in my area and this other job is just with a small independent centre. I'm just getting sick of this director, so I'm thinking of telling her I've got another job and thanks for the opportunity.
And plus I only want to work 1 job so my centrelink payments don't get cut.

I just can't work out what this directors deal is. I've never been treated like this before in any of my other jobs? It seems a bit dodgy to me- avoiding talking about pay and not giving me a contract and not being upfront with me about where I stand.

Should I just go with the goodstart job? I don't see much point in persevering with this job. Any advice would be great. I'm just confused with this directors behaviour.

Thanks Lorina I really appreciate your input. I think I will just stick with the good start job as they seem more professional and hopefully they will start offering me work soon.

If the director offers me more work today at this job do you think I should take it? I don't know whether I should or not because I want to be available when Good start ring me. And I want to get stuck in to work for my diploma.

Thanks Lorina your advice has been really helpful. I feel much better about working today now that I've made a decision about the job. Thank you! I really appreciate it

That has happened to me so many times, they call me up after interveiw and ask me to work (with contracts) then all of a sudden I never hear from them again. Its unfair and unprofessional. I think if this happens to you again just leave. Its not worth your time to beg people like that or work, considering shes judging you.

As a casual I don't think you legally need a contract. It is usually preferred to outline your employment conditions. As a casual for a big company, I got a contract straight away. I did feel like I was being messed around and I usually don't know when I'm going to work until that same day or the day before if I'm lucky, but I just go with the flow and it actually hasn't worked out badly. I get a decent amount of shifts and everything else is fine. You need to be really open-minded when you start out in the industry and accept whatever work is available. You should probably go with the more professional job if the opportunity is available but don't have high expectations for getting heaps of work and regular rosters as a casual new to the industry. By the way, a professional team will realise that workers have different personalities and strengths and more quiet people have some advantages, as well as the outgoing people. Children interact best with a variety of personalities, age groups and genders. We also shouldn't judge someone's personality too much on their first day!

Iris2 wrote: ↑

Tue May 08, 2018 5:51 pm

As a casual I don't think you legally need a contract. It is usually preferred to outline your employment conditions. As a casual for a big company, I got a contract straight away. I did feel like I was being messed around and I usually don't know when I'm going to work until that same day or the day before if I'm lucky, but I just go with the flow and it actually hasn't worked out badly. I get a decent amount of shifts and everything else is fine. You need to be really open-minded when you start out in the industry and accept whatever work is available. You should probably go with the more professional job if the opportunity is available but don't have high expectations for getting heaps of work and regular rosters as a casual new to the industry. By the way, a professional team will realise that workers have different personalities and strengths and more quiet people have some advantages, as well as the outgoing people. Children interact best with a variety of personalities, age groups and genders. We also shouldn't judge someone's personality too much on their first day!

Thanks for sharing your experiences! One of the drawback of being casual is the unpredictability of your work during the week. However it does has a range of benefits such as the pay!

Each educator brings their own individuality into the service so being a casual enables you to learn from others at a variety of services!

Hope all is going well for you!

,
Lorina