What are the RDO Arrangements in the Building and Construction Award?
Under the Building and Construction Award, the normal working arrangement includes a rostered day off (RDO). RDOs are a rostering system where employees work a longer day to gain an additional day off. In a typical RDO rostering system, employees work for 8 hours for 19 days and get a paid day off (an RDO) every four weeks.
Note the Building & Construction General On-site Award applies to employers and employees in the on-site building, engineering and civil construction industry. This Award covers on-site general building and construction workers, civil construction, metal and engineering construction staff.
A current copy of the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020 [MA000020] can be found here: https://awardviewer.fwo.gov.au/award/show/MA000020
Who Gets RDOs?
All employees can get RDOs, but the employer or an employee needs first confirm whether or not an Enterprise Agreement (EA) is in place. Casuals get RDOs if they work in accordance with a roster system that includes RDOs. Employers can choose not to use RDO arrangements for part-time employees and pay them for their actual hours worked each day, which can’t be more than 8 hours.
See Rostered days off for more information on how employees accumulate RDOs and find more information here.
How Long are RDO Days?
A Rostered Day Off (RDO) is typically a full 24-hour period, providing employees with a complete day off from work.
For example, in construction, employees might work longer hours Monday to Thursday, accruing enough extra time to take an RDO on Friday, providing a long weekend. Always check your contract or relevant award to understand how RDOs are structured in your workplace.
ADO vs RDO
An ADO (Accumulated Day Off) is time off earned by working additional hours beyond regular requirements, while an RDO (Rostered Day Off) is a pre-scheduled day off incorporated into an employee’s work roster as part of a planned schedule. Both provide paid time off but differ in how they are accrued and applied.
Key Differences Between ADO and RDO
- Definition:
- ADO: Earned through extra hours worked and can be taken as time off at a later date.
- RDO: Scheduled in advance as part of an agreed roster, reflecting accrued hours.
- Usage in Construction:
- RDO: Commonly used in construction to support work-life balance by providing predictable days off.
- ADO: Less frequently used but available in industries with flexible overtime arrangements.
- Accrual Process:
- ADO: Directly tied to additional hours worked outside regular schedules.
- RDO: Accrued as part of a rostered agreement and outlined in industry contracts or agreements.
ADO vs RDO Example in Workplaces
A construction worker might have an RDO scheduled every second Friday, based on extra hours worked during their rostered shifts. In contrast, an ADO might allow a worker to take a day off after accumulating hours from overtime shifts. Both systems ensure flexibility while meeting industry and employee needs.
Is RDO in Australia the Same as in the US?
Rostered Days Off (RDOs) in Australia and the US can serve a similar purpose but differ in formality and implementation. In Australia, RDOs are formalized and governed by industry awards or agreements, ensuring employees accrue extra hours for a scheduled, paid day off. This structured system is common in industries like construction and manufacturing. For more details, refer to our complete guide to RDO in Australia.
In the US, while similar practices exist, such as compensatory time or flexible scheduling, they are typically less regulated and more dependent on individual employer policies or state labor laws. To explore how RDOs work in the US, visit our comprehensive article on RDO in the US.
