You can hire employees in the fast food industry on a part-time basis to suit your business. Part-time work arrangements can be beneficial for both you and your employees. For example, your employees may be able to enjoy greater work-life balance, and you can roster them during your business’s busy periods.
When you hire a part-time employee, you need to come to a written agreement with them about a regular pattern of work. Find out more about what this agreement needs to cover on the Part-time employee hours page
Your part-time fast food employees generally get a ‘pro-rata’ amount of the conditions that apply to your full-time employees doing the same type of work. This means that they get a proportionate amount based on their hours of work. For example, part-time employees receive a pro-rata amount of annual leave and personal leave.
Example
Leila is employed on a part-time basis by Quik Bites Pizza Pty Ltd. She works 20 hours per week, taking food orders, performing basic cooking and food preparation and delivering the meals. Under the Fast Food Award, she is classified as a Fast Food Employee Level 1.
Leila’s minimum hourly rate is the same as a full-time Fast Food Employee Level 1, including any penalty rates for working on the weekends or during the evening. After working at Quik Bites Pizza Pty Ltd for 12 months, Leila has accumulated 80 hours, or the equivalent of 4 weeks (based on a 20 hour week), of annual leave and 40 hours, or the equivalent of 2 weeks (based on a 20 hour week), of personal leave.
Note: Part-time employees must work or be paid for a minimum of 3 hours (in a row) per shift.
When your part-time employees work in excess of the hours specified in their agreement (or as varied), this is overtime and must be paid at overtime rates of pay.
Visit Finding the right pay for tools to help you calculate minimum wages and penalty rates.