Construction RDO Everything You Need to Know About the Rostered Day Off in the Industry

“If you’re not taking your RDOs, you’re not playing the long game.” – An old-timer on the job site

Welcome to Web2News, where we break down the gritty and the great in today’s industries. Today, we’re diving into something every tradie, foreperson, and site manager has an opinion on: RDOs in construction—those sweet, elusive Rostered Days Off.

Whether you’re a veteran of the tools or just entering the game, understanding RDOs is crucial to maintaining balance on and off the site.

What Is an RDO in Construction?

RDO stands for Rostered Day Off, a scheduled day off given to employees—usually on a rotating basis—as part of an award or enterprise agreement. In most cases, it’s tied to the 40-hour workweek being compressed into 38 hours, giving workers a paid day off every so often.

Typical RDO Patterns Include:

• Every second Monday off

• One Friday off every four weeks

• Monthly RDOs on a fixed schedule

These are not holidays—they’re earned. And when you’re working in the blazing sun or freezing rain, they feel like gold.

Why Do RDOs Matter?

RDOs aren’t just for Netflix and cold beers (though that’s a strong argument). They have real-world value:

• Work-Life Balance: Keeps burnout at bay in a physically demanding industry.

• Mental Health: Construction is high-pressure—an RDO is a breather.

• Productivity: Workers return more focused and less likely to make costly mistakes.

• Compliance: Many enterprise bargaining agreements (EBAs) mandate them.

“Without RDOs, we’d lose half our crew to stress and the other half to injury.”
— Site Manager, Melbourne

How Are RDOs Scheduled?

Scheduling depends on agreements. Here’s a basic breakdown:

1. Award or EBA-Based

Most construction workers in Australia are covered under the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020 or an EBA.

2. Company Policy

Larger firms may build their own schedules within the framework of fair work requirements.

3. Weather and Delays

Sometimes RDOs are moved to keep up with deadlines. This can be a point of tension on sites.

What Happens If You Work on an RDO?

You can be rostered to work on your RDO—but you must be compensated accordingly. This usually includes:

• Penalty rates (often double time or time-and-a-half)

• Accrued time-in-lieu

• Written agreement between employer and employee

Note: Ignoring RDO entitlements can lead to Fair Work penalties.

The Unspoken RDO Culture

Beyond the awards and policies, there’s an unspoken code about RDOs on site:

• “Pub RDO” – Yep, some teams coordinate to all take the same RDO and hit the pub.

• Catch-Up RDOs – “Yeah mate, I skipped last week’s RDO, so I’m taking two next round.”

• RDO Getaways – Long weekends planned around RDOs are practically a sport.

“Don’t mess with someone’s RDO, unless you want your wheelbarrow filled with concrete.”
— Anonymous apprentice, 2023

Pro Tips for Managing RDOs

If you’re a worker:

• Keep track of your entitlements

• Communicate clearly about swaps or changes

• Use your RDOs strategically to prevent burnout

If you’re a manager:

• Schedule RDOs well in advance

• Respect work-life balance

• Keep an open dialogue with your crew

The Construction RDO is more than just a day off—it’s a recognition that this industry is tough and the people who build our world deserve rest. Don’t just know your rights—use them.