The Fast Food Industry Award 2020 provides specific leave entitlements for fast food employees in Australia, including annual leave, personal leave, and other forms of paid and unpaid leave.

Key Takeaways

  • Annual leave: 4 weeks (20 days) per year
  • Personal leave: 10 days per year
  • Public holidays: As per NES and state calendars
  • Shift loadings continue during annual leave
  • Part-time and casual employees have specific provisions

Leave Entitlements Under the Award

Annual Leave

  • 4 weeks (20 days) per year for full-time employees
  • Pro-rata for part-time employees
  • Accrues from first year of employment
  • Shift loading continues during leave
  • Cashed out on termination

Personal/Carer’s Leave

  • 10 days per year for full-time employees
  • Accrues from first year
  • Evidence requirements apply
  • Unpaid after exhausted entitlement
  • Carer’s leave included in entitlement

Other Leave Types

  • Compassionate leave: 2 days per occasion
  • Family and domestic violence leave: 10 days per year
  • Community service leave: As required
  • Jury service: As required
  • Long service leave: As per state legislation

Special Fast Food Provisions

Shift Work

  • Shift loadings: Continue during leave
  • Night shift: Enhanced loadings
  • Weekend work: Penalty rates
  • Rostered days off: Treated as leave

Operational Requirements

  • Coverage during absence
  • Handover procedures documented
  • Return to work planning
  • Food safety standards maintained

Casual Employees

  • Loading: 25% casual loading
  • Annual leave: Not entitled (loading compensates)
  • Personal leave: Not entitled
  • Public holidays: Entitled if would have worked

Common Scenarios

Scenario 1: Full-Time Fast Food Worker

  • Entitlement: 4 weeks annual leave
  • Shift loading: Continues during leave
  • Application: 2 weeks notice recommended
  • Approval: Employer may refuse on reasonable grounds

Scenario 2: Part-Time Fast Food Worker

  • Entitlement: Pro-rata based on hours
  • Calculation: Based on ordinary hours
  • Shift loading: Pro-rata during leave
  • Application: As per full-time process

Scenario 3: Casual Fast Food Worker

  • Entitlement: No annual leave
  • Loading: 25% compensates
  • Public holidays: Entitled if rostered
  • Termination: Loading paid out on termination

Compliance Checklist

  • Award coverage confirmed
  • Leave entitlements documented
  • Shift loading during leave calculated
  • Public holiday provisions applied
  • Part-time calculations correct
  • Casual loading documented
  • Evidence requirements communicated
  • Record keeping maintained
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