24/11/2020
Wage theft and casual work are built into university business models
completed. This could be consultation with students, class preparation, familiarisation with
labyrinthine policies, or being required to complete marking within unrealistic timeframes.
At the University of Melbourne, the Fair Work Ombudsman is investigating underpayments in
relation to casual marking based on the improper use of piece rates, rather than payment for the
hours worked. About A$1 million has already been paid out. The NTEU is also in dispute with RMIT
management over a similar issue.
At some universities, underpayments for the hours academic staff spend marking run into millions of dollars. DJ
Taylor/Shutterstock
Why has the problem become so entrenched?
Because of their insecure employment and fear of losing work, casuals are often reluctant to raise
underpayments with their supervisors.
Read more: Dependent and vulnerable: the experiences of academics on casual and
insecure contracts
A recent survey at UNSW found 42% of casuals reported doing unpaid work. A survey at Sydney Uni
reported 82% of casuals working unpaid hours.
Much of the work casual staff do is not actually casual in nature. It is regular, ongoing and stable over
time. Student enrolments, for example, which drive teaching work, are quite steady year on year.
The solution is simple: end the over-reliance of universities on casuals. Just a few months ago, such a
proposal would have sounded outlandish. But unprecedented times demand new solutions.
https://theconversation.com/wage-theft-and-casual-work-are-built-into-university-business-models-147555
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