NAATI CCL Spanish Empleo y trabajo — Diálogos de práctica

Thank you for coming to the interview. You've applied for the warehouse operator position. First, can you tell me about your experience?

Trabajé tres años en almacén en mi país, también manejaba montacargas. En Australia hice limpieza pero quiero volver al almacén.

Your forklift experience is a plus. However, do you have an Australian forklift licence? The one from your home country isn't valid here.

Aún no. ¿Cuánto tarda y cuánto cuesta?

It's a two-day course costing three to four hundred dollars. If you pass, the licence is valid for five years. Many employers will reimburse the cost.

¿Hay opción de sacarlo después? No puedo pagarlo ahora.

It depends. You could start as a general warehouse worker without the forklift licence and get trained on the job. Many companies offer in-house forklift training.

Excelente. ¿Cuáles son el horario y el salario?

Hours are Monday to Friday, six to two-thirty. The hourly rate is thirty-two dollars, with time-and-a-half for overtime. There's also a shift allowance for early starts.

¿Debo comprar las botas de seguridad y el uniforme?

Safety boots are at your own expense, but we provide a two-hundred-dollar voucher towards them. The uniform, safety vest, and helmet are all provided by the company. All PPE is issued on your first day.

¿Cuándo puedo empezar? Puedo comenzar de inmediato.

Welcome to the workplace safety induction. Today I'll be explaining the safety procedures for this factory. This is very important, so please listen carefully.

Tengo una pregunta. Mi inglés no es muy bueno, ¿qué hago si no puedo leer las señales de seguridad?

All safety signs include colour-coded pictograms. Red means danger, yellow means caution, and green means safe. We also have safety manuals available in your language.

¿Qué hago si me lastimo?

Report any injury, no matter how small, to your supervisor immediately. First aid kits are located on every floor. In an emergency, call triple zero first, then notify the manager.

¿Qué hay del seguro laboral? Si me lesiono trabajando, ¿quién paga el tratamiento?

All employees are covered by workers' compensation insurance. If injured or ill due to work, it covers medical costs, wages during time off, and rehabilitation. Report injuries to your supervisor immediately.

¿Puedo negarme a hacer un trabajo que considero inseguro?

Yes. Under Australian WHS law, workers have the right to refuse work they reasonably believe is dangerous. Report it to your supervisor and the safety representative.

¿Dónde están los casilleros y la sala de descanso?

Lockers are next to the entrance — we'll provide a padlock. The break room is on the second floor with a kitchen and vending machines. Morning tea is at ten, lunch at twelve-thirty.

Todo entendido. La seguridad primero, trabajaré bien.

Thank you for calling the Fair Work Commission. You're enquiring about unfair dismissal.

Sí, me despidieron el viernes sin previo aviso. Dijeron bajo rendimiento pero nunca recibí una advertencia.

An unfair dismissal claim has a strict time limit. You must lodge it within twenty-one days of the date of dismissal. What is today's date?

Fue hace cinco días. ¿Todavía estoy a tiempo?

Yes, you have plenty of time. Let me confirm a few things. Were you employed at the company for more than six months?

Dos años. Tiempo completo, treinta y ocho horas semanales.

You're eligible to make a claim. A fair process would normally include written notice of performance issues, an opportunity to improve, and an improvement plan. Were any of these provided?

Nada de eso. El viernes me llamaron y me despidieron en el acto. Me dieron una caja y treinta minutos para irme.

No warning, no opportunity to improve, and no proper process. This is a strong case for unfair dismissal. You have twenty-one days from the date of dismissal to lodge the application.

¿Cuánta compensación puedo esperar?

The maximum is twenty-six weeks' pay, or six months' income. The actual amount depends on factors like your length of service, expected remaining employment, and your efforts to find new work.

Lo solicito de inmediato. Ochenta dólares lo valen. Sabía que fue injusto y saber que tengo derechos me alivia.

Thank you for coming in to discuss your return-to-work plan. How is your back injury recovery going?

Está mejorando pero aún no puedo levantar peso. El médico dice que puedo hacer trabajo liviano.

Based on the medical certificate, we'll create a phased return-to-work plan. You'll start with three days a week, four hours a day of light duties, and gradually build back up to your normal hours.

¿Cuánto gano durante el trabajo liviano? ¿Lo mismo que antes?

Workers' compensation insurance covers the difference. For example, if you were previously working full-time five days and are now working three days, the insurance pays the gap. Your income won't decrease.

¿Vuelvo a mi puesto? Escuché que contrataron a alguien.

Legally, the employer is obligated to hold the position of an employee on workers' compensation. They must provide the same role or a suitable alternative. Refusing to do so is against the law.

¿Qué hago si el empleador intenta impedirlo?

Report it to the workers' compensation insurer's case manager. They can negotiate with your employer for suitable duties. Overriding medical advice can be grounds for complaint.

¿La fisioterapia está cubierta?

Yes, all reasonable treatment recommended by your doctor is covered by workers' compensation. This includes physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and psychological counselling if needed. Prior approval is required, so please check with the insurer.

La próxima semana empiezo con trabajo liviano. Volver gradualmente me da tranquilidad.

Welcome to the employment support service. We're here to help you find work. Can you tell me about your situation?

Soy refugiado, llegué hace seis meses. En mi país era taxista. Hablo algo de inglés pero no sé hacer un currículum.

I can help with that. First, I'll assist you with creating a resume free of charge. Then let's also discuss obtaining an Australian driver's licence. Do you have a licence from your home country?

Sí, diez años de experiencia. Pero escuché que aquí no es válida.

As a refugee, you can use your home country licence for twelve months. During that time, take driving lessons and sit the Australian test. I can refer you to a free driving program.

¿Hay algo además de taxi? Quiero ampliar mis opciones.

Of course. Delivery drivers, warehouse workers, and aged care workers are all in high demand. Your people skills would also be valuable in care work and customer service. There are also work experience programs available.

Necesito mejorar mi inglés. ¿Puedo estudiar mientras trabajo?

Yes, there are evening and weekend English classes. There's also a workplace English program that teaches the language used in specific industries. Both are free.

¿Cuándo puedo empezar a trabajar?

Let's finish your resume this week. Next week, you can start applying for jobs. I'll also arrange a mock interview to practise your English and build confidence.

Muchísimas gracias. Por primera vez desde que llegué veo esperanza.

Thank you for making the time. We need to discuss your performance over the past three months.

Sé que no he estado bien últimamente. Tengo problemas personales — estoy en proceso de divorcio y me cuesta concentrarme.

I understand your personal situation and want to support you. However, we also need to address the performance issues. Let's create a plan together that works for both sides.

¿Me van a despedir?

No, today isn't about termination — it's about creating an improvement plan together. I'm proposing a six-week performance improvement plan with clear goals and support to help you meet them.

¿Qué tipo de apoyo?

Weekly mentoring sessions, time management training, and a referral to the Employee Assistance Program — the EAP — which provides free confidential counselling. The EAP can also help with personal issues like divorce.

¿EAP es gratis? ¿La empresa se entera del contenido?

It's completely free and includes six sessions per year. The content of your counselling is strictly confidential and nothing is shared with the company. They don't even report that you've used the service.

¿Qué pasa si no mejoro en seis semanas?

I'll be honest with you. If there's no improvement, the next step would be a formal warning. But let's think positively — with the right support, most employees get through this kind of situation.

Contactaré al EAP. Si resuelvo lo personal el trabajo mejorará. Gracias por darme una oportunidad.

You've lodged a formal complaint about workplace discrimination. Can you describe what's been happening?

Desde que volví de mi licencia de maternidad hace tres meses me excluyeron de reuniones importantes y de la lista de ascensos. Antes era líder de equipo.

That's a serious allegation. Unfavourable treatment based on parental leave is prohibited under Australian workplace law. Have you been documenting specific incidents?

Sí — tengo fechas y correos. Hay un email donde mi jefe dice que 'los que tienen hijos no se comprometen igual'.

That email is extremely strong evidence of direct discrimination. We'll proceed with the internal complaint. You're also protected from retaliation under equal opportunity law.

Tengo miedo de represalias. ¿Quejarme puede empeorar las cosas?

Retaliation for making a workplace complaint is strictly prohibited by law. If retaliation is suspected, that itself becomes a separate legal issue with additional protections and potential compensation.

¿Qué resultado puedo esperar?

You can seek reinstatement of your original position, compensation for lost income, and damages for distress. The complaint goes to the Equal Opportunity Commission if unresolved internally.

Mis colegas podrían apoyarme pero no quiero involucrarlos.

Colleague testimony is valuable but cannot be compelled. They can also give evidence anonymously during the investigation. Written evidence such as emails, meeting minutes, and performance reviews is equally effective.

Organizaré toda la evidencia y la presentaré. Ojalá hubiera conocido estos derechos antes.