Call Centres

Nowra call centre ripping off employees

By ASU-NSW United Services Branch

It's a case of not-so-well-done at the Well Done Call Centre in South Nowra after it was revealed the centre's 38 employees are being systemically underpaid, harassed and bullied by management.

The United Services Union said a recent assessment of the call centre found employees were working in an unsafe environment, being paid much less than the Award rate, and have been threatened with dismissal if they talk to the union.

USU organiser Rudi Oppitz said this case was an example of an employer using high unemployment rates to justify underpaying its workers.

"The Well Done Call Centre are grossly underpaying employees, ripping them off by up to nine dollars an hour, under the pretence that they are lucky to even have a job.

"This is a bad management policy and should sound alarm bells for any worker.

"The award rate is set for a reason - it shouldn't be dismissed at an employer's whim, but respected as a fair rate of pay for all employees," said Mr Oppitz.

The USU said employees at the call centre have been employed on an 'agreement' which management believes 'overrides' the Clerical & Administrative Employees (state) Award.

"The truth is, the Well Done Call Centre is exploiting its predominantly female workforce by both underpaying and intimidating its employees," said Mr Oppitz.

"The Union will be seeking to assist these workers so that they are paid at the very least, the wages that are required to be paid under the Award."

The Union is investigating options for prosecuting breaches of the award, and once those investigations are completed, will commence action against the Well Done Contact Centre.

More information

For more information please call:

Rudi Oppitz, 0409 662 460
Claire Johnston, 0434 489 533