Bunnings banking hours policy cheating workers of overtime

Bunnings has been criticised for “banking” their workers’ hours in a bid to keep staff in-store during busy periods.

Industrial advocates said the hardware chain is “stretching the rules” by manipulating when and how it counts its workers’ hours.

Bunnings sends workers home during quiet periods

According to a report by ABC News, Bunnings sends workers home during quiet periods and banks their unused hours to be used during busier times.

The aim is to ensure plenty of staff are available when there is high customer demand, and less for quieter times.

However, as a result of the policy, Bunnings gets out of paying overtime rates, with some believing it is a form of wage theft.

Retail and Fast Food Workers Union secretary Josh Cullinan told ABC News:

“Someone who is full-time only works half-time or less and those hours get banked against them, and it usually happens in the cooler months during autumn and winter. 

“Then when Bunnings is busier in spring, in summer, the management comes to that worker and say ‘well you owe us these hours now’.”

The law

According to the Fair Work Ombudsman, employers can only stand down workers as a result of factors beyond their control.

For example, industrial action, a natural disaster, a government-ordered shutdown, or equipment failures.

“Employees can’t be stood down just because there is not enough work,” the agency’s website states.

Employers can’t send workers home on ‘a whim’

Industrial advocate Miles Heffernan from IR Claims said Bunnings is stretching the rules.

“It is a bit cheeky to stand down workers just because business is slow, and ask them to come back during busy periods,” he said.

“You can’t tell workers to go home on a whim, and then tell them they’ll have to make up the hours on another day that suits the business – that’s not fair.

“The real reason they’re doing it is to avoid paying proper penalty rates and overtime.”

Bunnings now reviewing the practice

Amid a growing number of complaints by workers, Bunnings says it is now reviewing the practice.

Bunnings Chief Operating Officer Debbie Poole said:

“We are currently reviewing the bank of hours system, including seeking feedback from our team members about the system and looking at alternatives or modifications that ensure our rostering processes benefit our team, customers and the business.”