Minimum hours ruling concerns retailers

The Australian Retailers Association is worried that some school students will lose their part-time jobs after Fair Work Australia rejected an appeal that would have allowed staff to work less than three hours.

The National Retailers Association lodged an appeal against an earlier decision by Fair Work Australia to maintain the three hour minimum shift requirement.

The claim was rejected because the federal retail industry award requires employers to pay employees for a minimum of three hours a shift.

Executive director of ARA Russell Zimmermann said retailers would be disappointed and furious they are being denied the right to provide students with the experience that comes from an after-school job.

"Instead of exercising their right to hand down a 'common-sense' ruling to allow casual student employees to work in the two hours between the end of school and close of business, FWA has taken a straitjacket approach to their decision making," he said.

"This debate has always been about the right for school students to work - nothing more nothing less.

"No doubt more young Australians will now lose their jobs simply because they are not able to work for three hour shifts during the week because of school commitments.

"Despite union attempts to close the door on this issue permanently, the FWA full bench has indicated a fresh application would be considered upon its merits.

"The ARA will consider its options and the views of its members before committing to a brand new application and submission," Mr Zimmerman said.