VPRS 13899 Shift Compensation Claim Files

This series contains documentation relating to the legal case State Electricity Commission of Victoria (SECV) & Others ats Musgrove & Others.Writs were issued against the SECV in respect to compensation with particular regard to taxation liabilities incurred by employees who were paid lump sum shift payments.Due to uncertainty in the electricity industry in 1992/93, it was usual for employees to accept lump sum shift payments rather than weekly payments over a period of three years.An interview with an ex-Payrolls supervisor revealed that if an employee accepted a lump sum shift payment and took a Voluntary Departure Package within the 3 year time frame, none of the outstanding lump sum payment was recovered from that employee. Therefore, an employee who terminated within the 3 year time frame could gain a significant financial advantage by selecting the lump sum payment. On the other hand, if weekly payments were chosen and the employee terminated within the 3 year time frame the remaining weekly payments were lost. In both cases the terminating employee was paid out at 9 day fortnight rates because they were now classified as day workers. If an employee resumed shiftwork within the 3 year time frame no recovery was made of a lump sum payment that they received. Again this employee could have gained a financial advantage by selecting the lump sum shift compensation options.The series includes correspondence and briefing notes relating to the case in general, and files for individual employees involved in the action.