Originally Posted by soonbethere

We live in Mandurah, got here on 136 skills visa, (cook) i managed to get some hours at the local TAFE working as a cook, the hours advertised were from 7 - 3.30, i got to the interview and was told that its 7 - 1.30, the 3.30 was in case there any functions on. I agreed to the post, and started, all was fine until the 'manageress' (more like lioness!!) started to poke her nose in all my pans of food. i could go on about her wanting me to cook a bechamel sauce with milk and just cornflour, and asking (no telling me!!) to cook FROZEN chickens, when i refused it was such an issue, but i am going off the point.

She then decided that because I managed to get the meals out on time, she would cut my hours, WITHOUT any discussion, she said on a friday afternoon to look at the rota because she has changed some of the staff hours for the following week. Mine was cut to finish at 12.00 !!! what cook finishes work at the crucial service time???? she was just so rude to everyone, all the delivery drivers seemed to dislike her so much because of her lack of manners. I eventually couldn't take the crap any more so i told her i was finishing work at the end of the week, "the job isn't what i thought it would be" after her trying to work out what my problem was, i ended up telling her about the lack catering knowledge across the board, and my hours being cut. she was stuck for words, and i eventually left....

Since then i can't get ANYTHING, in the UK I was an office manager and worked in accounts doing all the company books, total control of the accounts, running all the admin etc....i have applied for literally dozens of jobs, and i haven't had a look in...I have actually got a spreadsheet going so i can keep up with where i am up to. The hours on offer are either 15-20 hrs a week, and with the mortgages etc here i need to be clearing $500 per week. i was offered a job the other day but the hours were for 20 hrs, then i went to a Dr's practise yesterday and was offered the job, but the money was CRAP, the office manageress, told me she was sorry the salary was so bad, and i would be better off probably going to K mart and picking my hours...!!!! but i really don't think i could even do that!! she said the women there had been there for over 10 years, the newest has been there for 5, and they don't ask for a wage rise.... what!!!! why????? perhaps they don't need it with the big investment they are sat on at home,,,, (i sound really sore, but i am not, good luck to them)
I am getting really depressed with the thought that i am not wanted, the only conclusion i can come up with, is that women here generally work part time, (and thats great if you don't have a big mortgage... due to the house prices etc) I also have an 11 yr old that i need to think about in school time, all our plans have gone to pot, we thought that i could get a p/t job, and have enough money coming in for a small mtg,, its just too much
anyone any answers?? I was thinking of going on a medical receptionist course , but whats the point for $15+ per hour???

Originally Posted by The_Pom_From_Aus

[with regards the comments from the Bloke, its unfortunate you made those comments about the lady, i wish people would think before they open there mouth, its as though the "Bloke" put his mouth into gear before engaging the Brain.??

If the lady spends time with her family on a saturday thats fine we all have a life you know. As for the comments about canteen lady's your well out of order there mate, i hope you are NOT a Thatcher supporter because it appears the comments where a direct derogatory dig a females in general and belive me mate your on your own there, imagine facing all these females on here, you will be like the "Lone Ranger".

arthur

Originally Posted by The Bloke

Aaaahhh The Bloke. What an arrogant and condescending attitude you have. Right back at ya babe....you're an Australian man. Says it all really.

I would've thought, after the crap your wife has had to put up with here, you would have half a brain that understood just how difficult things can be.

Originally Posted by JoandStuV

Just to add a positive job story...

I am an Office Manager/Accounts, extensive experience but not qualified accountant. I applied for roles in Perth on seek.com.au, had several call backs straight away, the only slight sticking point was lack of experience of BAS, PAYG and Super, oh and they LOVE MYOB over here . Met with an agency on the Thursday, had an interview on the Friday and permanent job offer that afternoon, it literally took me less than a week, I was flexible on salary with the agreement it would be reviewed after I had gained a little Aus experience. Maybe I found it easier because I was looking full time? (No children to worry about, yet)!

For people who are still looking in Perth, I know a couple of people in recruitment and they reckon they have loads of jobs but just can't find the people, am happy to pass on contact details for anyone here who is interested...

p.s this isn't meant to sound smug in any way whatsoever, just wanted to give a positive example!

Originally Posted by gigi100

Hello The Bloke
Well you are obviously a man hey. Well let me put it to you that if you cant get a flexible job that fits round the kids etc especially at a place where they work til midnight, well us mothers should perhaps just stay at home and sponge off the government then?
I find it difficult to believe that when Tracey said she couldnt work Sat but could work the Sunday and every other day that her hours could not be accommodated. Surely there are workers that would prefer to work til midnight during the week and not have to work a Saturday for example. They are pretty unflexible and cannot relate to the real lives of applicants. People have to pay child care during the week and isnt it a bit mean of you to suggest also that Tracey cannot at least spend 1 day with her hubby? There are a lot of people who need flexibility and cannot work certain hours. Your comments about how much a school cook should be paid are also uncalled for and i would hope that most schools would pay slightly more for a good cook. If you worked out how much $15 per hour for 27 hours was over the year and also not paid for holdays then she is certainly probably better off sponging from gov. Is that what you would prefer?
Anyway you made me a bit angry with your attitude. All i hope is that you are never in a situation where flexibility is needed as i am sure if you were your attitude might change:curse:

Originally Posted by The Bloke

Please engage your brain before opening mouth. The person in made it quite plain that she did not want to work on a roster that involved Saturdays, which was part of the job requirements, and was not prepared to be flexible. FFS the rosters are usually rotating anyway, so she most likely wouldn't be required every Saturday. If she knew of the required hours, why apply? BTW Woolies is not a canteen, it is a supermarket chain where staff are required to work on rosters, that is if they really want the job.

Also, I am not being degrogatory to females, it is just I am getting sick of people male and female, who complain that they cannot get a job, simply for the fact that they can't get the chosen position immediately and will not take any job, no matter how tedious, lower in pay than they are used to etc., then come on BE and whinge about it. Over the years there has been many, with a few only giving it a couple of months before going back to the UK citing lack of employment as a reason. If you had bothered to check some of my older posts, you would see that I have actually tried to help with websites etc. One poster lasted 7 weeks in Brisbane, left for the UK after the Gov't position he applied for didn't contact him immediately after he posted his job application. I actually told him that it may take several months to get even to the stage of interviews. Personnally I do not real give a monkey's what you think, I was expressing an opinion.
FFS my OH worked sorting mail for Australia Post when she first came out.

Originally Posted by esperanza

Whilst I would totally advocate accepting whatever job you're offered, if you need it (beggars can't be choosers) there is also a problem for some people, especially women I think, who end up being totally overqualified for the jobs they apply for.
For example, there are plenty of ladies out there who have degrees, qualifications and professional experience, but after having children they either can't or won't work full time hours. They end up applying for jobs in schools, or part time office jobs - and the employers chuck their CVS immediately because they expect that am experienced graduate won't stay in the job. If this hypothetical woman did get the job, she would probably be tearing her hair out in no time because of being mindnumbingly bored. After a short while, her selfesteem might be at rockbottom. Alternatively when she is continuously rejected from jobs that are way below her, she still loses all confidence in her own abilities and self worth.
What is the solution?! It almost seems as if the only way to have a decent job and kids is to have your job secured before becoming pregnant, then you can go back to it. (even that is not guaranteed).
If anyone has a magic solution, do share!