WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE EMPLOYER
Each employer is different however below is some general information to be aware of.
Personal leave/cultural leave
Depending on your contract and working conditions you should be able to take personal leave to cover things like illness, carer’s responsibilities or bereavement leave.
Your leave credits will start building up from your first day of work, based on the number of hours you work. If you need to access emergency leave and you do not have any credits, speak to your employer and let them know what has happened. They may have systems in place to deal with this.
Depending on your contract of employment, you may also be eligible to take parental leave. If you are unsure contact your Manager or Human Resource team.
Safety and health
Your employer is responsible for providing and maintaining a safe working environment so you will get lots of training and will be provided with any personal protective equipment (PPE) you need to wear.
Cultural awareness
Cultural awareness training may be in place for employees and contractors. This training will help non Aboriginal employees understand Aboriginal people and their history and traditions.
Employee Assistance Program
Your workplace may offer a free of charge workplace Employee Assistance Program for you and your immediate family members. These programs help you deal with personal problems that might impact on your job performance, health and wellbeing.
Employee Assistance Programs are usually run by external companies so that your confidentiality is maintained. An example is a free counselling or mentoring service.
Support
Your workplace may have a range of mentoring and support programs and family and community support programs. Speak to your Manager or Human Resource team.
Salary
Some companies offer deadly salaries to attract and keep employees – your salary will depend on the type of work you are doing. It is a good idea to learn how to manage your salary and budget to make the most of your money. For example, saving or paying off existing debt and managing your day to day expenses. Some companies offer budget management training for employees who have suddenly gone from small to very large incomes.
TIPS
Your company may also have arrangements in place to manage your salary in different accounts. This is something you can discuss with your employer when you start.
- Enjoy your well earned money but remember to plan ahead – it is easy to get carried away with buying a new car or signing up for credit cards but make sure you also save money at the same time.
- Keep some money aside for unexpected costs. If you miss your flight back to the worksite, some companies might ask you to pay for the flight, you might need money for fuel to get to the airport or you might need to catch a taxi.
- The FIFO industry can be unpredictable and sometimes companies need to downsize or put off employees. Avoiding debt or committing to expenses too far into the future makes good sense.