Which characteristic defines a casual employee?

A casual employee is primarily characterized by their work arrangements, which are often flexible and not tied to a fixed schedule. The correct characteristic reflects that casual employees are typically engaged for specific shifts, allowing them to have irregular hours and variable workloads based on the employer's needs. This means they are often called in to work as needed, rather than having a predictable, ongoing schedule.

In the context of casual employment, it is common for such workers to be engaged on an as-needed basis, which may vary from week to week depending on operational demands. This flexibility is a fundamental trait of casual roles, distinguishing them from full-time or part-time employees who usually have a more consistent schedule.

The other characteristics do not align with the definition of a casual employee. Regularity in weekly schedules pertains more to part-time or full-time employees, entitlements such as holiday pay and sick leave usually apply to ongoing employees, and working over 38 hours a week typically indicates a full-time role rather than a casual one.