The bottom line: as it currently stands none of the proposed
changes have been introduced – so no changes to hourly rates
are required at this point in time!
Background – why did Sunday penalty rates come
under attack?
Employer groups have been advocating for years for the reduction
of penalty rates on Sundays on the grounds that penalty rates are
too high and no longer reflect community standards, and,
significantly, are forcing businesses to close their doors on
weekends and public holidays.
What happened on 23 February 2017?
On 23 February, as part of the four yearly review of modern
awards, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) handed down a landmark
decision announcing that Sunday penalty rates would be reduced for
those working in the retail, fast food, hospitality and pharmacy
industries, and that most of the reductions would take effect from
July 2017 with the remainder phased in over time.
