The SDA has been advised that Myer will be temporarily closing all stores effective from close of business Sunday 29 March, for an initial period of four weeks until 27 April, as the entire retail industry continues to be impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Online trade will continue and will become the focus of the business over this period.

This means all store employees will be stood down from work from 30 March, except for those employees directly engaged in online fulfilment activities, docks and merchandise support. Distribution centres will also continue to operate during this time.

We understand this is an incredibly difficult time for you and the SDA is here to support you.

Your employment continues with Myer during the closure.

What does this mean for your pay and entitlements?

• Employees will not be paid during the closure period.
• Full time and part time employees will be allowed greater access to annual leave and long service leave entitlements.
• Casuals will not have access to leave during this time.
• Permanent employees who do not have sufficient leave will be required to proceed stood down without pay.
• Myer will automatically provide access to annual leave where this is available to staff.
• If a team members does not wish to use annual leave during this period, you will need to reverse this and book ‘Stand Down Unpaid Leave of Absence’ in WSS.
• Leave entitlements will continue to accrue during this time.

The SDA and the retail industry continue to call for direct wage subsidies in this current crisis but advise you to access the Government Assistance currently in place.

This is devastating news for employees and SDA members, but the Federal Government continues to resist a ‘wage subsidy model’ that business and unions are calling for and which several countries, like the UK and New Zealand, now have in place. The SDA is now focused on trying to ensure there are jobs for our members to return to once the pandemic has passed.

What happens to my union membership?

We will suspend your fees from the time when your employer stops paying you.

Your union membership will continue and you will not have to pay any fees until you return to work. You can still call us, message us, and access all of our SDA services.

This is the time when you need your union the most, and we are here to support you

It is also essential for you to access important Government Assistance during this difficult period.

Below is useful information about the next steps to take to access help.

Please call the SDA for specific advice and information or visit www.national.sda.com.au/coronavirus.

GOVERNMENT ECONOMIC SUPPORT AS AT 25 MARCH

The Australian Government is currently providing financial assistance which includes:

• Income support for individuals
• Payments to support households
• Temporary early release of superannuation
• Temporarily reducing superannuation minimum drawdown rates
• Reduced waiting times for jobseeker payments
• Reduced means testing for jobseeker and parenting payments

In addition to this the Government is temporarily expanding eligibility to income support payments to include permanent employees who are stood down or lose their employment as a result of the economic downturn due to the Coronavirus. This can also include a person required to care for someone who is affected by the Coronavirus.
Please utilise the www.mygov.au website in preference to visiting Centrelink in person as it is safe and designed to be quicker.

Your stand down notice is the key piece of information for Centrelink.

Please visit the following website for further information at: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/subjects/affected-coronavirus-covid-19

BANKING SUPPORT:

Repayment relief for home loans is available from all the major banks if you have either suffered a job loss, or a reduction of income due to the Coronavirus impact.  Banks are offering up to 6 months mortgage payment deferral upon application. This essentially freezes your repayments for the period to allow relief of outgoings.

Please contact your personal bank for further information.

RENT ASSISTANCE:

The Federal Government has announced that tenants struggling to pay rent will receive assistance from the Government as part of the next stage Coronavirus support package.  This information is not available yet however is expected to be announced shortly. We will keep our website updated here.

INCOME PROTECTION INSURANCE:

If you have income protection insurance, we encourage you to discuss options with your insurance or super fund for advice.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT:

If you require professional assistance, the following resources are free and also listed on our website:

Beyond Blue for mental health support and counselling:

beyondblue.org.au

National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence counselling service
1800respect.org.au

National Debt Helpline for free financial guidance and counselling:

ndh.org.gov

Health alerts and Government information in relation to the Coronavirus:

health.gov.au

Government support initiatives:

Treasury.gov.au