Big Orange staff working on Monday were (from left) Arcardia Fantham, Mere Pereka, owner David Sutherland, Huy Le and Phil Healy. PHOTO/ BEVAN CONLEY
Big Orange staff working on Monday were (from left) Arcardia Fantham, Mere Pereka, owner David Sutherland, Huy Le and Phil Healy. PHOTO/ BEVAN CONLEY
It's always a toss-up whether to open on a public holiday or not, Big Orange owner David Sutherland says.
"You make the decision to be open, or you don't."
His cafe was one of the busiest in Whanganui's Victoria Ave on Monday, Labour Day.
The Big Orange is only everclosed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. But he said the staff working for him on Monday were all getting the equivalent of two and a half times their usual pay.
They get paid time and a half for working on that day. Then they also get another paid day off on some other day they can choose in the coming year. Or they can choose to take cash instead of that.
Mr Sutherland expects them to work on public holidays if they are rostered, unless they have negotiated in advance to have the day off. Staff rostered to work on Mondays do end up working more public holidays.
The extra pay makes working a holiday weekend all right, staff member Cassidy Longie said. She was able to smile behind the counter.
Mr Sutherland has to make his own decision on what is worthwhile.
