Are you working as a casual, have worked as a casual in the past or are looking for casual work? This event is for you!  
 
For our May Solidarity Night, the Young Workers Centre is hosting an in person and online event to provide information about casual work!  
 
For many young workers, casual employment is the default type of employment. Because it is the most insecure type of employment, the Young Workers Centre has heard countless stories of exploitation, wage theft and poor treatment from young people. This event is designed to give you the knowledge to make informed decisions about the best type of employment for your needs. 

We will talk about the experience of casual work and a pathway out of casual work into permanent, including exactly what to say to your boss, and what to do if you need a third party to assist. 
 
You'll also be able to ask questions about your own experiences, and we’ll share common tips and tricks for casual employees.

For those attending online, we will send you the zoom link via email closer to the date of the event.

For those attending in person, there'll be food and an opportunity to speak with our panelists after the panel discussion has finished. 

Our panellists include Commissioner Oanh Thi Tran from the Fair Work Commission, Grace Dowling an Organiser from the United Workers Union, Kelly Thomas the Principal Solicitor from YWC plus special guest and former YWC client Josh McDiarmid! 

About Our Speakers

Commissioner Oanh Thi Tran
Oanh was appointed as a Commissioner of the Fair Work Commission – Australia’s national workplace relations tribunal – in July 2023. She is Deputy Practice Lead for Employee-Like Workers, assisting Vice President Ingrid Asbury as the National Practice Lead for minimum standards for regulated workers. Prior to FWC, Oanh was principal solicitor at the Young Workers Centre. She has also been a Union legal and Industrial Officer with the Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia and CFMMEU-Manufacturing Division and worked in law firms in the UK and Queensland. Oanh began her legal career as a judge’s associate and has also worked in retail, been a Christmas elf and shop fitter.

Special Guest Joshua McDiarmid
Josh is 29 years old and has been working as a casual all his life. From seasonal cherry picking to the dog daycare industry he has been working in since 2021, casual work has been a mixed bag of positives and negatives. 

He is currently working at a dog daycare as a casual senior animal attendant and is studying a Certificate IV in Animal Behaviour and Dog Training.
 

Grace Dowling
Grace is an industrial organiser for the mighty United Workers Union. She organises in the hospitality and casino industry. She worked in hospitality for fourteen years, approximately 10 of which was spent in casual work.

Kelly Thomas
Kelly uses her legal skills to work in service of working people and their unions. Dignity at work and dignity of work are important guides for Kelly’s approach to helping employees and ensuring that employers do the right thing. Prior to coming to YWC, Kelly worked for a national union and a national plaintiff law firm. 

She is proud of her advocacy for workers and highlights winning a huge compensation payment for a young victim of sexual assault. Working on the $100million class action for workers with an intellectual disability who were underpaid will always be an honour for her. 

Outside of work, Kelly enjoys walking her dog, Harvey, having a laugh and is otherwise busy raising a future feminist.

You can view the event's access key here.