Is your job agency mistreating you? Its time to fight back!
As the Department of Employment have failed to effectively regulate the industry, making a complaint to the Department (1800 805 260) is often not enough (although something you still should do, more on that later). It is increasingly up to you, the unemployed worker, to bring punitive job agencies into line.
If your job agency is treating you badly, the Australian Unemployed Workers’ Union strongly recommends that you write a letter to your job agent to a) resolve the issue, and b) hold them accountable.
The AUWU has found that writing emails is the best way for unemployed workers to communicate with their job agencies as they are unable use bullying tactics to derail the issue. It also provides a written record of your issue which you can use later.
As the Department of Employment have failed to effectively regulate the industry, making a complaint to the Department (1800 805 260) is often not enough (although something you still should do, more on that later). It is increasingly up to you, the unemployed worker, to bring punitive job agencies into line.
If your job agency is treating you badly, the Australian Unemployed Workers’ Union strongly recommends that you write a letter to your job agent to a) resolve the issue, and b) hold them accountable.
The AUWU has found that writing emails is the best way for unemployed workers to communicate with their job agencies as they are unable use bullying tactics to derail the issue. It also provides a written record of your issue which you can use later.
For this email to be a success, you need to determine exactly how your job agency has broken the jobactive deed.
A few common examples include
- Forcing you to attend more than one appointment per month (for jobactive agencies) or one appointment per fortnight (for DES agencies)
- Forcing you to do Work for the Dole when you are ineligible
- Denying you your right to ‘Reasonable Notice’ or a ‘Reasonable Excuse’
- Denying you your right to be provided with basic employment services.
If you would like more information on your rights, have a look at our Rights Booklet
If you don’t have your case managers email already, contact your job agency by phone and ask them for the best email address to contact your case manager.
If you cannot get a straight answer, the best approach might be to email reception and put your case managers name in the subject line.
If you cannot get a straight answer, the best approach might be to email reception and put your case managers name in the subject line.
Your letter must include a clear summary of how your job agency has failed to uphold the jobactive deed (or Disability Employment Services deed).The AUWU has the produced seven letter templates to assist you to write your letter. Please edit the letters so you are comfortable with them.
The following issues are covered (click to download):
Before sending your letter, be sure to CC the following addresses:
advocacy@unemployedworkersunion.com (for our records)
senator.cash@aph.gov.au (to inform Minister of Employment)
nationalcustomerserviceline@employment.gov.au (to inform complaints line)
ed.husic.mp@aph.gov.au (to inform the Shadow Minister for Employment Services)
senator.siewert@aph.gov.au (to inform the Greens)
We also encourage you to CC your job agency’s CEO and other top brass. You can find a comprehensive list of their addresses here.
Now you are ready to make a splash with your letter! Lastly, please forward any responses to advocacy@unemployedworkersunion.com
advocacy@unemployedworkersunion.com (for our records)
senator.cash@aph.gov.au (to inform Minister of Employment)
nationalcustomerserviceline@employment.gov.au (to inform complaints line)
ed.husic.mp@aph.gov.au (to inform the Shadow Minister for Employment Services)
senator.siewert@aph.gov.au (to inform the Greens)
We also encourage you to CC your job agency’s CEO and other top brass. You can find a comprehensive list of their addresses here.
Now you are ready to make a splash with your letter! Lastly, please forward any responses to advocacy@unemployedworkersunion.com