Sometimes SDA members are presented with new rosters by their managers. This update gives some basic information about your rights when this happens.

Your manager must consult with you

When Coles proposes a change to your regular roster, Coles must consult with you about the change. This includes giving you information about the change, inviting you to give your views about the change and considering your views, including any impact on your family or caring responsibilities.

Permanent employees must be given at least seven days’ notice of a roster change or 14 days if you disagree with the change, unless you agree to a shorter notice period.

The basic roster rules

Your enterprise agreement sets rules about how rosters are changed and what hours you can work. Here are some of the basic rules:

• Minimum shift of 3 hours.
• Maximum shift of 9 hours per day, except for one day per week you can work up to 11 hours.
• Maximum 5 days per week, or 6 days if you work 4 days the following week.
• Maximum 6 days in a row.
• Maximum 19 days in a 4-week cycle (can agree otherwise, see below).
• For permanent employees, at least 2 consecutive days off per week or 3 consecutive days off per fortnight (can agree otherwise, see below).
• For permanent employees who regularly work Sunday, at least one 3-day weekend (which includes a Saturday and Sunday) every 4 weeks (can agree otherwise, see below).
• Minimum break between shifts of 12 hours (can agree otherwise, see below).

Choices to make about your roster

You can agree to change some of these rules but you do not have to. The choice is yours. Your choices are:

• You can choose to have a minimum 10 hour break between shifts (instead of 12 hour break).
• You are entitled to have 2 consecutive days off each week or 3 consecutive days off in a 2-week period. You can choose not to have this.
• If you regularly work Sundays you are entitled to have at least one three-day weekend (which includes a Saturday and Sunday) every four weeks. You can choose not to have this.
• You can choose to work up 20 days in a four-week cycle (instead of a maximum of 19).

Additional Part-time hours

Part-time employees are employed to work an agreed number of contracted hours per week. The number of agreed hours per week must be at least 9 hours* and less than 38 hours per week on average (*note that by 25 March 2025 the minimum average hours per week will increase to 12 hours).

Part-time employees can choose to give standing consent to work additional hours at ordinary rates of pay plus any relevant penalty rates. Even if you provide a standing consent you can still refuse to work additional hours offered by the company on any occasion. It is your choice.

Part-time employees who have regularly worked additional hours for at least 12 months can make written request to permanently increase their agreed hours. Coles must then consult with you and try to reach agreement on increasing the agreed hours.

From 7 October 2024, Coles must consider any opportunity to increase minimum contracted hours as part of any roster change.

Contact the SDA

If you have any questions in relation to your roster or would like to access any of the Union’s services, contact your SDA Organiser or the SDA Information Centre on 131 SDA (131 732).