A real Zinger for KFC. Thousands to sue over rest breaks

Some of Australia’s most vulnerable workers will join forces with Shine Lawyers in a class action targeting fast food giant KFC.

It’s alleged the company failed to provide ten-minute breaks to its employees, with a joint investigation by Shine and the Retail and Fast-Food Workers Union revealing tens of thousands of former and current staff members may have been short-changed.

90 per cent of those affected are likely to be under 24.

Joint Head of Class Actions Vicky Antzoulatos says the allegations point to a potential complete failure by KFC to protect its staff.

“Our claim is likely to allege that vulnerable workers were not provided the rest breaks they were entitled to.”

“Many of these workers were just kids facing tough working conditions, who would not have had the confidence or knowledge to speak up and demand the breaks they were owed.”

Lily’O’Sullivan has already registered her interest in the action, having worked at an Illawarra region outlet between 2019-2020.

“I remember raising my right to a 10-minute break to my boss at the time and he said ‘no, we don’t do those here,’ as if it was optional,” she said.

“It was shut down so swiftly that after chatting to colleagues, I quickly realised it wasn’t something I could ask for again.”

RAFFWU Secretary Josh Cullinan says it’s sad that this is the second major food chain to have potentially harmed workers in this way.

“The missing ingredient in KFC’s recipe was rest! It’s unacceptable that a global franchise has had complete disregard to the welfare of its workers.”

Anyone who worked for a KFC restaurant from October 2017 onward could be eligible to take part in the action to reclaim the value of their lost breaks.

Full criteria is available on the Shine Lawyers website.