does anyone know (employers)

[vampire-teddy]

I am usually paid in cash by my workplace on a friday.  last week they paid by cheque with no prior notice which meant that I cannot access the funds until later this week.  is this allowed.  it was lucky last week we had some spare money but sometimes it would make the difference between eating or not.    also does anyone know what temperature is considered acceptable in an office environment.  my office is tiny and very hot (reached 34) last friday and has no air con.  it is also attached to a kitchen which doesn't help.

[fiestas*girl]

re your payment, I dont think theres much you can do, the point is you ahve been paid. Common courtesy and decency would have been nice, just to advise you so you could make alternate plans. sometimes a bank will clear a cheque straight away of you tell them its a wages chq.

for work conditions like your office, this I am unclear of...perhaps call fair work australia and find out there?

[amber-eyed-girl]

Did they pay by cheque because it is the holiday season do you think? Otherwise I would be wondering what is going on. They can pay how they want though I imagine, cash, cheque, bank deposit. I have been paid by cheques.

Also, if you are normally paid in cash, hope you are putting it in a tax return, as this post is now out there in public. I don't mean to sound mean, just be careful, you know...

Sorry to hear it is so hot, can you ask for at least a fan? Or bring your own?

Again, if you are declaring your cash, you would be OK to check out any work and safety rules on temperature and if it is against any laws bring it up officially.

Next to a kitchen would be hot though...

[amber-eyed-girl]

http://www.ohsrep.org.au/faqs/workplace-and-amenities/offices-temperature-and-humidity-what-are-the-...

Found this, it is ohs rules on temperature and humidity in the workplace. This is for Vic. It says there are no laws in Vic, but the employer does have a duty of care, and there are guidelines.

Google office temperature law Australia and you will find a few pages on it, and check for where you live if there is a law.

[vampire-teddy]

tax and everything is done properly so that is not an issue and my payments are reported to centrelink as I am also on a disability pension and can only work the 11 hours a week I do.  it is just that my employer is not a computer user and still does most things the older ways.  i was surprised as I hadn't been paid in a little envelope for about 30 years.

thank you all for info I am googling for more information.

[amber-eyed-girl]

Good, I was just concerned you might not be able to say anything officially you know...

Hope you can get something done. If it makes you ill, try to get an airconditioner put in, I know that could be expensive, but they do have to make sure working conditions are tolerable day in day out.

[azureline**]

We paid our employee by cheque but made it out to cash for him, so he could go to the bank and cash it. I think he had to have an account at that bank. Our cheques are stamped not negotiable. I would ask the boss to do this or alternatively, to arrange a direct deposit into your account.

[boris1gary]

What union are you in? If you aren't in any I would urge you to join ASAP. Yes it does cost but you do get a lot of it back in your tax return. Wages cheques should be cashable immediately, talk to your bank if this is how you are to be paid in the future. As for the temperature I know that in NSW it can be quite high before anything can be done about it. There are exceptions though, such as are there any employees there who have any health related problems that are affected by high heat.

I really can't stress enough that you should join the appropriate union, regardless of any opinion you may or may not have about unions they are very useful and offer a lot of things, with all the changes to the workers compensation laws recently a lot of unions have taken out income insurance for their members - this alone makes it worthwhile.

[lloydslights]

Maybe, speak to your Centrelink case-worker.  He/she may be able to advise on these issues.  Also, ensure you count the cash in his presence and sign your employers wage sheet (if they are so old fashioned) when you receive your cash payments .

[gipps.st]

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@vampire-teddy wrote:

I am usually paid in cash by my workplace on a friday.  last week they paid by cheque with no prior notice which meant that I cannot access the funds until later this week.  is this allowed.  it was lucky last week we had some spare money but sometimes it would make the difference between eating or not.    also does anyone know what temperature is considered acceptable in an office environment.  my office is tiny and very hot (reached 34) last friday and has no air con.  it is also attached to a kitchen which doesn't help.

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I think employers assume most people will manage their money properly and have enough savings to tide them over three days or so.