Asking questions at work – Q&As for young workers

First steps

Check your work agreement or contract, and any workplace policies.

Who do I ask?

Ask your supervisor or if there is a human resources person, check with them.

How do I ask?

Put your request in writing (but not text message or SMS), give plenty of advance notice, be respectful, and provide the dates you need leave.

Related resource

First steps

Check your work agreement or contract, and any workplace policies to see how much notice you need to give.

Refer to FairWork: Resignation & notice

Who do I ask?

Ask your supervisor or if there is a human resources person, check with them.

How do I ask?

In writing. Follow the requirements in your work agreement or contract.

Related resource

First steps

Check your work agreement, or any workplace policies available on the business intranet or website to see your leave options.

Check your pay slip to see how many hours of leave you have available. Try to get a picture of the busy times at work when taking leave will be tricky, and see if you can work around them. Some workplaces do have designated leave times.

Give as much notice as you possibly can.

Who do I ask?

Ask your supervisor or if there is a human resources person, check with them.

How do I ask?

In writing, or via a workplace app if you have one.

Related resource

First steps

Check the Fair Work website to get the facts and your entitlements: PACT Pay Calculator – Find your award and refer to FairWork: My pay doesn’t seem right.

Who do I ask?

Ask your supervisor or if there is a human resources person, check with them.

How do I ask?

Set up a meeting time asking for clarification. Bring the information you have gathered about what you think is the right amount. Bring along a co-worker if that might help.

First steps

Write down your points so you can show your supervisor a clear picture of what the issue is. Explain the times that it is busy, what you cannot achieve because you are understaffed, and the potential risks to the business.

Show your employer how things can be done differently and why it is better for business.

Who do I ask?

Your direct supervisor or human resources person.

How do I ask?

Make a time to meet or in writing, ensure you include your clear points.

First steps

Always read a work agreement or contract thoroughly, and show it to a trusted person to see if they have any queries before you sign it. Your workplace should have a process for reviewing your remuneration and conditions. Check the workplace policies and the relevant award. Refer to Fairwork: Find my award.

Who do I ask?

Ask your supervisor or if there is a human resources person, check with them.

How do I ask?

In writing (not in text or SMS)

Related resource

First steps

If you feel comfortable, speak to a trusted co-worker to see if others have had similar experiences. Check your workplace’s policies under ‘Grievance Procedure’ or ‘Grievance Handling & Conflict Resolution’.Identify what is going on. Is it bullying, sexual harassment, discrimination, or other behaviours? More information can help you to describe what is happening clearly.

Refer to FairWork: Bullying, sexual harassment & discrimination at work

Who do I ask?

Go to the person above your supervisor, if there is one, or a different manager.

How do I ask?

Request a meeting with the person above your supervisor, or a different manager that you know. Take the information and evidence that you have gathered. If this doesn’t work, you may need to put your issues in writing.

You can also ask for mediation if you think the issues are resolvable.

Related resource

First steps

Check with your workplace policies available on the business intranet or website to see your leave options. Where possible, have this discussion as early as you can. Try not to wait until exam/placement time to do so.

Who do I ask?

Ask your supervisor or if there is a human resources person, check with them.

How do I ask?

In writing (not text or SMS).

Related resource

First steps

Give as much notice as you possibly can and have your explanation ready.

Who do I ask?

Your supervisor.

How do I ask?

In writing, or using the workplace app if there is one.

Related resource

First steps

For some workplaces, the employer has to ask you to become permanent if you’ve been there for over 12-months.

See if you can find out what the difference will be for you as a worker. You can say no if it won’t work for you, but your employer may want to have a conversation about this.

Refer to FairWork: Becoming a permanent employee

Who do I ask?

Ask your supervisor or if there is a human resources person, check with them.

How do I ask?

In writing, within 21 days of the offer.

First steps

To be considered as an unfair dismissal, you need to have worked or completed the probation period (for small businesses usually 12-months, and small to large usually 6-months). Write down what has happened and check-in with a friend or co-worker for support.

Refer to FairWork: I’ve been fired and I’m not sure what I’m entitled to

Find any emails or texts from your employer about the termination of your employment. Explore what reasons were given and see if they are legitimate.

Refer to FairWork: Unfair dismissal

Who do I ask?

Ask your supervisor or if there is a human resources person, check with them.

How do I ask?

In writing. Outline your reasoning and any evidence. Bring along a support person if you have one.

First steps

Speak with a job placement agency or Centrelink to see if there may be a grant you can access. It is worth checking out your local Op Shop too! You can also look into No Interest Loans (NILs) from Good Shepherd.

Who do I ask?

Your supervisor, or person responsible for your induction.

How do I ask?

Ask your supervisor after you have been offered the job, or send a request to human resources in writing along with your work agreement or contract.

First steps

Check your employment agreement or contract, or performance plan (if you have one), and see if ongoing training is mentioned.

Who do I ask?

Ask your supervisor or if there is a human resources person, check with them.

How do I ask?

In writing. Explain why you need the training and how it could be provided if you have any ideas.

Related resource

First steps

For most workplaces you can take sick leave or annual leave if you are a permanent employee.

You are not required to tell your supervisor that you need a mental health day, however, give them some notice if you can and if possible, it would be good to share why you need time off.

If you are a casual employee, talk to your supervisor about needing to miss a shift or two.

Who do I ask?

Ask your supervisor or if there is a human resources person, check with them.

How do I ask?

In writing. Follow normal leave requirements for your workplace, and ideally, talk to your supervisor as well so they understand.

Related resource

First steps

You should be given a pay slip, even if you’re on leave.

Refer to FairWork: I’m not getting pay slips

Who do I ask?

Ask your supervisor or if there is a human resources person, check with them.

How do I ask?

You can ask first but if that doesn’t work, try in writing, and you might like to include FairWork’s information about pay slips.

Related resource

First steps

Does something not feel right? Do you feel you need to check-in and make sure you are doing your job correctly? This is very normal in a new job when there is so much to learn.

Who do I ask?

Your direct supervisor and co-workers.

How do I ask?

Ask to have a quick conversation about how work is going, what is going well, and what might be improved. You might ask, what are the 3 most important things you want me to remember?