Thread by @abc730

#JobKeeper has barely started and already there are concerns. Some workers have complained their bosses refuse to sign up for the scheme. Bosses say it’s confusing and unfairly tilted towards workers earning free money while their own livelihoods falter. #abc730 @pjmcgrth #auspol

Tom Nielsen was working three to four nights a week as a kitchen hand until the coronavirus shut down the restaurant industry in March. #abc730 #JobKeeper #auspol

Last month the restaurant's owner texted Tom telling him he could be eligible for the $750 per week #JobKeeper payment. But there was a catch - he wanted Tom to increase his hours to five nights a week. #abc730 #auspol

“I couldn't because I'm a uni student and I could only commit three nights a week that I had worked before, which was when he said to me, don't worry about it, there is not enough work for you anymore.” Tom Nielsen, fmr hospitality worker. #abc730 #JobKeeper #auspol

The Fair Work Ombudsman says employers can’t pick and choose which of their staff to keep - it’s one-in-all-in. #abc730 #JobKeeper #auspol

And employers aren’t supposed to push staff to increase hours “if the only reason for a request to work additional hours is to ‘match’ the amount of the #JobKeeper payment” #abc730 #auspol

Tom Nielsen tried telling that to his boss but the response was blunt. “It’s my business. I can do what I want... I’m under no obligation to do it. You just want $750 a week for doing nothing... You’re just being a petulant child.” #abc730 #JobKeeper #auspol

Owen Langton is Tom’s boss. There’s no suggestion he hasn’t tried to do the right thing. He says he’s asked all his casual staff to start working 5 nights a week to make sure everybody’s treated equally. #abc730 #JobKeeper #auspol

“My casual employees that were currently working five or six days a week said, well if he only has to work two to three then I'm only working two to three.” Owen Langton, restaurant owner. #abc730 #JobKeeper #auspol

Owen Langton says the #JobKeeper scheme costs his business a lot money at a time when it can only sell takeaway and home delivery because he has to pay staff wages up front and get reimbursed later by the tax office. #abc730 #auspol

“You've got the ATO saying well pay them and we might pay you back. It depends if you're eligible or not. The whole thing was just it's very confusing. It's frustrating for all parties.” Owen Langton, restaurant owner. #abc730 #JobKeeper #auspol

“I feel like that my case, in the instance of Tom, is probably one of a number of employees and employers that are in the same boat.” Owen Langton, restaurant owner. #abc730 #JobKeeper #auspol

Tom Nielsen now has his job back and is going on #JobKeeper. “I now only have to work my regular hours, I’m no longer being asked to work more than I was before.” #abc730 #auspol

“I was open to giving Tom his job back and we’ve renegotiated his days and shifts so everyone is happy. It’s a good result.” Owen Langton, restaurant owner. #abc730 #JobKeeper #auspol