Temporary Employee’s Induction Manual
& General Information Handbook
Introduction to Downunder Jobs
Thank you for your interest in registering with Downunder Jobs for temporary work.
The following information has been compiled to assist you in familiarising yourself with our services. Please read through the attached Agreement and speak to a Downunder Jobs staff member before signing it should you have any queries.
Downunder Jobs is a personnel agency specialising in sourcing temporary employment for backpackers. The agency is conveniently located at 167 Franklin St, Melbourne.
The management of Downunder Jobs require its employees to become members of the Backpackers Resource Centre (BRC). The BRC provides a comprehensive employer/ employee message service. The BRC Staff are in contact with both employers and employees and can pass on important information about jobs, wages, tax etc. It is imperative that employees have their mobile phones turned on and charged at all times to allow for direct contact when necessary. Those employees who are difficult to contact will obviously not receive the volume of work that easily contactable employees will receive.
Expectations
While enlisted for employment with Downunder Jobs, certain expectations apply to all employees. If an effort is made to adhere to these expectations as an employee of Downunder Jobs, your employment with us will be a lot more enjoyable.
1. COMMENCEMENT FORMS
Before you commence employment, it is your responsibility to have accurately completed the following forms:
It is also essential that you provide Downunder Jobs with a copy of your Work Visa if you are not an Australian Citizen. Residents of New Zealand are required to provide a copy of their Passport.
It is important to note that you cannot be paid until the above information has been accurately supplied.
2. ON THE JOB ATTITUDE
Temporary work is, by its very nature, temporary, however you should always work with the same sense of responsibility as you would in a permanent position. Such an attitude will ensure you obtain positive references and remain at the top of Downunder Jobs list each time a vacancy needs to be filled.
Please always remember that you are representing Downunder Jobs and your work performance and attitude is a direct reflection of our company. While it is temporary work, it is an opportunity to demonstrate your ability and should be approached with this in mind.
3. ARE YOU RELIABLE???
Employees, who demonstrate to us that they are reliable and can be trusted to do what is asked of them, are more likely to be offered further employment opportunities.
4. RUNNING LATE TO A JOB???
In the situation you are running late to a job, it is imperative that you notify Downunder Jobs of your lateness by telephoning the relevant office. Even if this means you will be an extra five minutes late after stopping to make a phone call, we must be notified so that we are able to notify the Supervisor on the job that you are late but you are on your way.
5. NOT GOING TO WORK???
At Downunder Jobs, we understand that you are on a working holiday and from time to time you will have another opportunity arise that you will not want to miss. If this should occur and you are unable to fulfill your work commitments with us, it is imperative that you notify us immediately you become aware of this situation by telephoning the relevant office or the after hours number. This will enable us to replace you promptly.
Should you be unable to notify us of the situation at least a day before the shift is due to commence, you will develop a reputation of unreliability and it would be unlikely you would receive further employment opportunities through Downunder Jobs.
6. UNIFORM AND DRESS CODE
Most jobs (unless otherwise stated) will require you to be dressed in neat, clean casual clothing. Under no circumstances should clothing be ripped, torn or have holes in it.
In the event that you are working for a client that has a uniform requirement, you are required to comply with the company’s dress codes. If these requirements are not met, you will be unable to placed in employment with the company.
7. GROOMING
Please be aware that workers should be clean and well groomed when attending work. Men should be without stubble, although well-kept beards etc are fine but unshaved stubble is not and long hair should be tied back neatly. Facial/Body piercings other than one set of earrings are unacceptable and must be taken out before work.
8. WORK LOCATION
Once you have been given your job confirmation detailing the date, time and address of your employment, it is then your responsibility to find your own way to the job. In most cases jobs are easily accessible by public transport however it is your responsibility to obtain timetable information.
Information on train, tram or bus timetables can be easily obtained by calling the numbers relevant to the city you are in:
Melbourne The Met 131 638
If you explain to the operator where you need to be and at what time, they can generally tell you exactly which route to take.
9. CODE OF CONDUCT WHILE AT WORK
During the period of any temporary assignment you will be under the care and supervision of the Downunder Jobs client in regards to defined working hours, safety regulations and the manner and proficiency in which your work is performed. It is the right of Downunder Jobs’ clients to direct your activities in the work place.
Please note that for confidentiality reasons, when placed in a new job it is a requirement that you do not discuss previous jobs given to you by Downunder Jobs, as per the signed confidentiality agreement.
10. SEXUAL HARRASMENT
Under the State Equal Opportunity Acts it is against the law to Sexually Harass another person.
A person sexually harasses another person if he or she makes an unwelcome sexual advance, request for sexual favours, or engages in any other unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature.
Sexual harassment by any employee will not be tolerated.
If you feel that you are being sexually harassed while in the employ of one of Downunder Jobs clients, it is imperative that we be notified of the situation as soon as it becomes an issue, so that we may deal with it promptly.
11. WORKERS COMPENSATION
Downunder Jobs is responsible for statutory Workers Compensation Insurance and in the event of an injury occurring during an assignment it is imperative you contact Downunder Jobs with the details promptly. All injuries should also be reported to the Supervisor on your assignment site. All injuries must be recorded in the injury book at the worksite.
12. DRUGS AND ALCOHOL
Alcohol or drug consumption or the consequences of prior intake will not be tolerated at the work site and any such misconduct will result in your removal from the work site.
13. SMOKING
Smoking restrictions must be obeyed at all times. No smoking on site except on designated breaks as advised by your Supervisor.
14. DISPUTES AND PROBLEMS
If faced with an issue or a problem in the work place which you feel may escalate into a dispute, we urge you to remain calm and to complete the shift you have been allocated for that day. Once you have completed the shift, notify Downunder Jobs of any concerns regarding your assignment. We have your best interests at heart and do not want you to feel uncomfortable in any employment situation. If we are notified of the situation we can aim to rectify it or ensure we do not place you on that job again if preferred.
15. DIRECT BOOKINGS
Should you find yourself in the situation where you have been sent to a job and at the end of a shift, the Supervisor has approached you directly to book you for another day’s work, you must notify the office of Downunder Jobs.
Failure to do so is likely to cause confusion as to the number of hours you have worked with that particular company which will therefore cause discrepancies in wage payments. This may lead to you not being paid your full entitlements.
16. PAY DETAILS AND QUERIES
You will be paid on a weekly basis; using electronic funds transfer into your nominated bank account. Your funds will be available by Saturday for the week ending the previous Sunday. All pay-slips will be posted to your current mailing address. No responsibility will be taken for misplaced pay-slips after postage.
17. TIMESHEETS
Most assignments will require you to complete a timesheet and have your site Supervisor authorise it. Timesheets are official documents and must be completed and returned to the Downunder Jobs office on completion of each work assignment. If the work assignment is ongoing, your timesheet is to be handed in by 10.00am on the Monday immediately after the end of the pay period.
Failure to supply your timesheet by 10.00am on the Monday will result in a delay in your payment.
18. GROUP CERTIFICATES
Group Certificates will be supplied on demand. If you would like your Group Certificates sent to you, you will need to contact our office in business hours.
If you do not receive (due to supplying incorrect postal details) or lose your Group Certificate & require it to be reissued you will be charged a fee of $15 for the reissue, therefore it is important you supply the correct forwarding address.
NOTE: Group Certificates cannot be supplied via email.
19. OBTAINING EMPLOYMENT
Once you have registered your details with Downunder Jobs we will contact you if and when a suitable assignment becomes available. We ask that you inform us of any changes in circumstances for example if you are planning to move out of the hostel. If you need to drop into the office, by all means do so but please keep in mind the longer we spend away from sourcing employment for you, the more your chances of constant employment with us will diminish.
Imagine the scenario if we have 300 candidates on our system and 100 of those 300 people dropped into the office to see if any work has come in. Each person would be in the office for a minimum of 5 minutes. That would be a total of 8 hours and 20 minutes of our time that we could not devote to finding work for you. If you need to speak with one of our staff, please keep your visit as brief as possible and remember: We know where and how to contact you!!! | 
