Casually employed staff at universities across the country who thought they met the new Fair Work test for conversion to continuing employment are getting knock-backs this week

Some rejections are not entirely informative, such as a form letter from Uni Melbourne which includes space for a reason for rejection, just not the reason itself.

“The university has assessed the hours that you have worked for us over the last 12 months and has determined that you meet the eligibility criteria for conversion, … However <REASON> the university has determined that this is reasonable grounds (in accordance with the legislation) not to offer to convert your role to a permanent position,” the letter states.

Uni Melbourne advises that 72 casual employees are eligible for conversion to permanent employment under the new Fair Work Act provisions. This is additional to 139 casuals already offered permanent employment this year. Writing in CMM, James Guthrie (Macquarie U) reports Uni Melbourne had 5563 casual employees last year.

However the small number of Uni Melbourne casuals covered by the new FWA provision is in approximate line with Uni Sydney where 69 people were offered conversion out of 4173 assessed, (CMM September 14).

As per the Act, criteria for conversion are 12 months with an employer, “a regular pattern of hours for at least the last six months and being able to work as a permanent staff member without “significant changes to the current employment arrangement.”