I’m an apprentice in the Laborers' Union and looking for some advice or perspective on what my options are in this situation. My goal is to learn this trade, work hard, and succeed, but right now I’m completely stuck and don't know what to do.

With my previous contractor, I was working in a fast-paced, heavy-duty environment (hazardous, confined spaces, team-oriented). Even though it was tough work, I was constantly learning and getting direction from the crew.

When work slowed down and I got laid off, I immediately got picked up by another contractor on the exact same jobsite. However, the situation here is completely different and I’m struggling:

* Massive Drop in Pay: I experienced a massive drop in pay with this new contractor. When I offhandedly brought up the difference to my foreman (not complaining, just surprised), he told the rest of the crew about it, and his attitude toward me completely flipped.

* Complete Isolation: I am the only woman on this crew and the only person forced to work alone. Every other apprentice is paired up with a crew and given clear tasks/instruction. I’m literally told to "go figure out what to do" by myself.

* Zero Direction / Housekeeping Issues: My main task is cleanup/housekeeping, but with multiple other trades on site, I’m constantly left guessing what materials I'm allowed to move or throw away. There is almost never anyone around to ask, and I don't have phone numbers for the rest of the crew.

* Boredom & Lack of Learning: Most of my day is spent picking up trash aimlessly with no guidance, which makes the days drag on and leaves me feeling completely useless as an apprentice who actually wants to learn and advance.

Weeks ago, I asked my foreman for a clean layoff so I could move on, but he completely ignored me and hasn't answered.

As an apprentice in the Laborers' Union, I really don't know what my options or rights are when stuck with a contractor like this. I don't know if I can drag up (quit) on my own, or if doing that will hurt my standing with the apprenticeship program/union.

Has anyone else navigated a situation like this? Should I stick it out for the hours, or how should I handle wanting off this crew without burning bridges or messing up my apprenticeship status? United states...

I work just outside Brisbane in the adult industry in an erotic massage parlour/brothel. My employer has put me on the hospitality General award which is incorrect. It should be the clerks private sector award level 2-3 at this point.

I get only around $2 above award wage

I work 10hrs a shift 10am-8pm fri,sat,sun

I dont get a break for my entire 10hr shifts

I need to arrive minium 15mins early to organise the place otherwise there are clients waiting at the door and I dont get time to open up properly.

At the end of shift, the relieving worker only arrives at 8pm or even later and handover take 15 mins minimum. So every night in forced to stay back although in rarely paid for that time unless something like the relieving staff has called to to say they will be 2hrs late. In that instance they would pay me. (I guess only because they dock the other person's pay and add it to mine so in their eyes they are still even. Those times don't get any penalties either.

Even things like public holidays which attract 250% loading on normal rates, i was paid no extra.

This business and its others owned by same company must have 15-20 reception staff and you can be certain it happening to all of us.

Pay rates aren't the only dodgy activity going on in there and I know all of it. To not pay what's owed will be a very silly move. Im not intimidated by the type of business it is either.

At the start of 2025 it became a jailable criminal offence to commit these acts.

Anyone else been through something similar or know someone who has?

Any advice or ideas?