CHANGES to the Pharmacy Industry Award approved by the Fair Work Commission will become effective next Mon 11 Sep, including more flexibility for pharmacies to employ school students in part-time roles.
New regulations allow for engagement of school students for a minimum of two hours (rather than three hours) between 3.00pm and 6.30pm on school days.
The student and their parent/guardian must consent, and the student must be supervised.
Other changes highlighted by workplace relations specialists Employsure include the removal of junior rates of pay for Pharmacy Assistants Levels 3 and 4, meaning that any junior employees classified as a Level 3 or 4 Pharmacy Assistant will be entitled to receive the adult rate of pay.
Minor amendments have been made to clarify some ambiguity around payment of overtime and to confirm that casuals may be required to work reasonable overtime at overtime rates.
Staff classified as Pharmacy Assistant Level 4 may now be given annual salaries, but must not be paid less than they would otherwise have received (such as overtime and penalty rates) and a record of hours worked must be kept & countersigned by the employee.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 05 Sep 17
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