Shameful Practices by Business
I recently read a business article that made me quite sick and upset. Recently in the news it’s been reported a large a multinational has allegedly been treating their staff under appalling pay and working conditions. This particular case is currently in the courts in a multimillion dollar class action, fought by thousands of its former employees for claims of underpayment and bullying.
As one of the biggest face-to-face donor recruitment agencies in the world and fund raiser for some of Australia’s best known charities and sports organisations, I was appalled and disgusted to learn about the alleged conditions endured by their staff. It is alleged that staff were paid as little as $5.00 per hour. These sales staff it is alleged that if they didn’t achieve their targets they were subject to ‘punishment and humiliation’ rituals. Some of their punishments included; ‘for the sales person to shove a cigarette up their backside, pull it in and out then smoke it’. Another involved a salesperson who was “forced to shave off his moustache into a Hitler ‘stache’”. Another ritual punishment that they have been claimed to perform include; “simulated sex acts, slug races and licking other employee’s underwear”. Although the parent company has strongly denied these claims the complaints have been formed by thousands of former employees across most states, which I think proves something sinister and highly inappropriate occurred within the business environment.
It is sickening to think that corporate business can act within this manner in this day and age! We have unions established to support workers’ rights and entitlements, Fair Work to settle disputes and other bodies to ensure fairness and equality in the workplace however these establishments have massively failed these employees in this instance!
The investigation claims that the average age of the employees involved was 22 years old and worked for an average of 67 hours per week. This angers me, as these are the vulnerable candidates entering the workforce and eager to impress and work had to be successful. One of the former employees taking action states that the business is “taking advantage of young people entering the workforce”. Repercussions were felt by staff who apparently did not undertake in the punishment rituals and therefore lead their team through fear intimidation. The threat of the employee losing their job was always mentioned to staff.
This case proves the need for strict controls on business. There is no excuse for this behaviour, this should never have happened and more importantly, the saddest part of all of this is the alleged employees felt alone with no support or assistance.
Let’s help those entering the workforce, as these are the future leaders!!
