FSU is consistently contacted by members under severe pressure at work due to inadequate staffing. It’s an issue that is not confined to one employer or even one part of our industry, but right across the spectrum.

Members working in insurance, banking and credit unions are reporting the same phenomenon. They’re under pressure at the workplace, particularly when absences aren’t covered by relief staff, and there’s a reluctance to take leave so as to not put colleagues under extra pressure.

This is not a healthy state of affairs for anyone working in the industry, and customers must shake their heads in disbelief at the lack of foresight, planning and commitment to customer service displayed by companies who repeatedly report healthy profits, but fail to adequately staff the organisation’s front line.

In one instance, FSU has lodged a dispute in the Australian Industrial Relations Commission over staffing levels and unrealistic workloads in a NAB retail banking network in Melbourne.

In January and February, FSU conducted an Eastern Suburbs Staff Watch in the St George retail network.

Over the seven week monitoring period, FSU members in five branches reported that:

• No relief was provided for 78% of absences.
  - no relief for 75% of Planned absences (annual leave and vacancies)
  - no relief for 83% of Unplanned absences (personal carers leave etc)|

• An average of six shifts per branch were left vacant each week.
• One branch had an average staff shortage of 2.3 people each day.

It should be noted that St George challenged the accuracy of these figures, and are now working with FSU workplace reps to monitor relief provision and establish an agreed assessment of staffing levels in that region. This is a good step forward in FSU’s attempt to address this issue that impacts so negatively on members.

Understaffing is not a sustainable business practice, and has serious implications for the health, safety and wellbeing of members.

FSU can help members individually or collectively to get some relief. If understaffing is an issue at your workplace, you can post your story anonymously on our Understaffing Online Forum.

If you need advice, support, or representation, please contact the Member Rights Centre on 1300 366 378 or email fsuinfo@fsunion.org.au