The commission has ruled Sunday and public holiday rates will be reduced for full-time and part-time workers in the hospitality, retail and fast-food industries.

This is something business owners have long wanted to see happen and there is merit to their argument. 

However, it is also easy to see the other side of the story and why employees and staff would be upset at having their pay cut. 

On one side there is the business. 

Many, especially in places like Leeton, don’t even bother to open their doors on a Sunday simply because they wouldn’t be making anywhere near close to a profit. 

It would actually be costing them more to open with wages and other other overheads. 

In bigger areas obviously other businesses were also struggling to be making money on a Sunday or this issue never would have gotten as far as it did in going to the Fair Work Commission. 

Sure there would be some businesses out there perhaps rubbing their greedy hands together at the thought of pay cuts for their staff, but other would be genuinely relieved about it. 

It’s important to remember businesses, especialy small businesses, aren’t the enemy. 

In places like Leeton these people live in town and they spend their money in town. 

The more they make, the better off the community is with many supporting charities, sporting groups and other organisations. 

However, when you look at the other side of the coin there are the employees. 

Some who are having to work weekends, particularly Sundays, just to make ends meet. 

For them any sort of pay cut is devastating. 

These people also live, work and spend their money in town, so if there’s less to go around and not as much opportunity for them – will they be seeking employment elsewhere? 

Employees deserve a fair go, but there also must be balance. 

The commission hasn’t ruled on when the penalty rate decision should be implemented, so who knows what will happen between now and then. 

The important thing, as always, is for a balanced and fair approach for all.