AVA helping you become part of your profession

Debbie NeutzeAVA National Strategy and Services Manager

Animal Care and

Veterinary Services

Award 2010

An award is an enforceable document containing

minimum terms and conditions of employment

what is an award

?

what is covered by the award ?

Hours of work

Public holidays

Minimum wagesSuperannuatio

n

Annual Leave

Sick Leave

Allowances

Termination

Where do I find the award?

www.ava.com.au

What’s the difference between

part-time, full-time and casual?

Full time: average of 38 hours a week

Part-time : less than 38 hours per week on a regular basis(entitled to pro-rata per full time employee)

Casual –irregular hours (entitled to 25% loading but no leave and other entitlements)

What are the minimum wages I

must be paid?The veterinary award classifies vets based on their level of experience, need for supervision and competency

Level 1A is from graduation up to no more than 6 months

Normal duties may require the supervision of more experienced veterinarian.

Classification Minimum annual salary Minimum hourly rate

  $ $

Level 1A42,637 21.58

Level 1B44,982 22.76

Level 248,599 24.59

Level 353,392 27.02

Level 460,309 30.52

This is for a 38 hour week NOT a 45 hour

CURRENT MINIMUM WAGES

What leave am I entitled to?

Annual Leave 4 weeks leave and with a 17.5% loading

Personal or carer’s leave 10 days paid and 2 days unpaid carer’s leave as required

Study leave 1 week paid leave for each year completed. Must pay course registration fee

Compassionate leave 2 days as required.

Also community service

leave

What about Public Holidays?That one is complicated!

It is reasonable to be expected to work a public holidayYou should get a day off in lieu, an extra days annual leave or an additional day’s payIf you are full time but the public holiday falls on a weekday that you are rostered off, you are entitled to an alternative day off, or additional day’s pay or extra days annual leave

Termination of my

employment

Probation period up to 6 months

One months notice required by both employee and

employer

Redundancy

How about superannuation

payments?Paid on top of minimum wage

Presently 9%

Increases announcedJune 2013 9.25%June 2014 9.5%June 2015 10.0%June 2016 10.5%June 2017 11.00%June 2018 11.5%June 2019 12.0%

ON-CALL DUTYMinimum $35.73 per night on call

If called back relevant hourly rate for such duty as minimum

AVA recommends 50% of the professional fee (if higher)

What other allowances are I am entitled to?If you are on call

the practice needs to supply

or pay for a communication

system

If you have a uniform you

are entitled to a laundry

allowance

Travel expenses if you have to use our own

vehicle

What are the other legal responsibilities of my employer

Pay employees for all hours worked. (Offering goods/services instead of pay is prohibited)

Pay correct wages & issue payslips. (Paying 'Cash in hand‘ without taking tax out is against taxation law)

Provide safe working conditions and environment

Reimburse employee’s expenses

Remit tax and superannuation

What are the other legal responsibilities of my employer

Not to unduly influence, pressure or coerce an employee

Avoid Adverse action against employees for exercising a workplace right or because they do, or don't belong to an industrial association or do, or don't engage in certain industrial activity.

Terminate employees lawfully related to inherent requirements of the position concerned (not on discriminatory grounds)

So do I have any legal responsibilities as an employee?Obey lawful instructions

treat the employer with respect (in return for respect given by the employer)

confidentiality in dealing with certain work-related information

work in good faith on behalf of the employer's interests

honesty in dealing with employer's money and property

So do I have any legal responsibilities as an employee?an obligation to report OHS incidents and breaches to employer

(in certain cases) a restriction on a current or former employee competing (in business) against the employer or former employer; and

to provide appropriate notice when the decision to resign has been made

Tell me about the AVA and the award

Where do I find what jobs are

available?

The wrong employment choice can be very damaging to your professional career.

The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) believes that the profession is responsible for the integration of new graduates into practice. Veterinary graduates should be given professional support and opportunities for improving their knowledge and practical skills in order to achieve acceptable levels of competency.

AVA policy on employing recent graduates

AVA guidelines for employing recent graduateswritten employment contract

induction of new graduates into the practice

adequate trainingin the OHS policies and

proceduresof the practice

working hours should be reasonable

a positive attitude to the employment of a new graduate

adequate nursing

assistance

adequate supervision

opportunities for discussion of cases

encourage attendance at continuing education courses and conferences

regular staff meetings

AVA new graduate friendly practice Accreditation Program

Cover Letter

Resume

Interview

Generally, there are no restrictions to the content or form of an employment contract.

The acceptance of a contract/offer may also be represented by the conduct of the employee E.g. the shake of a hand, verbal arrangement and/or the turning up to work on first day.

The presence of deception, mistakes or duress can result in the contract becoming unenforceable

Tell me about the employment

contracts

Contracts of employment are important and generally act to formally determine the employment rights and obligations between the employer and the employee, including terms and conditions like wages, hours, type of work, employment status, start date and many others being prescribed.

Tell me about the employment

contracts

• Don’t hesitate to negotiate. Now is the time to ask for what you want. Your negotiation position will be weaker once you are employed.

• Don’t sign “template” contracts – make sure the contract addresses your particular situation

Tell me about the employment

contracts

Make sure you understand all aspects of a contract before signing it

Don’t enter an employment agreement based on a handshake. Get everything in writing

Don’t sign a contract if your not comfortable with the employer

Tell me about the employment

contracts

Are there regular staff meetings? Who attends? When held?

Are there opportunities to discuss cases?

Are there adequate nursing levels – will you have an experienced nurse working with you at all times?

Are they receptive to new ideas from new graduates?

Are all veterinarians involved in continuing education?

Questions you should ask?

When will I be expected to be able to work without another experienced veterinarian at the practice to assist you if needed? (3-6 months)

Once working alone, will there be someone available on the phone for advice at all times, and if so for how long? (12 months)

Questions you should ask?

Powerpoint document title

“I think you should support your industry and that’s what I’m doing

by having a membership”

AVA recent graduate research and membership plan

Should I ask them to pay for my AVA

membership? YES!

At present 15% of practice pay for their recent graduates to be AVA members

As a recent graduate the AVA gives you a 50% concession - $350 which only needs to be paid June 30th

The practice can claim back the GST

The practice has to pay for you to attend a conference each year, the member concession that they will receive will cover the membership fee

RSPCA NSW now pays for AVA, ASAVA and another SIG membership for all their employees

Graduates value their membership the same whether they pay or the practice pays

Last words of AVA wisdomConcentrate on the joys of

being a veterinarian – celebrate and tell others

about the good things you do, use mistakes to learn from not to beat yourself

up.

Questions?

Contact the AVA HR Advisory Service to inquire about matters discussed in this presentation -

Phone 1300 788 977 between 8:30am and 5:30pm (AEST)

www.ava.com.au