Thursday’s landmark ruling by the Fair Work Commission will slash Sunday penalty rates for hundreds of thousands of retail, hospitality, fast-food and pharmacy industry workers across the country.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported that full-time and part-time workers in retail will have their Sunday penalty rates dropped from 200 per cent to 150 per cent of their standard hourly rate, while casuals will go from 200 per cent to 175 per cent.

Hospitality employees will face a reduction in Sunday pay from 175 per cent to 150 per cent, while casual hospitality workers' pay will remain unchanged.

Fast-food employees' Sunday rates will go from 150 per cent to 125 per cent for full-time and part-time staff, and casuals will go from 200 per cent to 175 per cent.

Bathurst Business Chamber president Stacey Whittaker said while employees may feel the pinch, it will be good for the region.

“It’s good for regional small businesses, it gives them the opportunity to remain open longer, employ more staff and give them more hours,” she said.

Mrs Whittaker did acknowledge, however, that many employees may not praise the Commission’s decision to cut penalty rates.

“It’s a pay cut, but the traditional Monday to Friday week no longer exists, especially in these [affected] industries. It’s a seven day industry,” she said.

Mrs Whittaker said the change may lead to stores now deciding to open their doors on a Sunday, or open them for longer.

Porters Cafe on William Street is currently not open on a Sunday, and owner Chris Bergen said the penalty rate cuts do not encourage him to change this.

He said staff costs on a Sunday are “exorbitant”, and as a long time hospitality worker he enjoys this day off work.

Mr Bergen said the penalty rate issue was a real “conundrum” and the affected workers are among the “poorest paid people in the state”.

While, Regency Jewellers manager Melissa Elliott feared the penalty cut may lead to some employees who are parents cutting their Sunday shift to spend more time with their family.

“Some may think ‘I may as well work an extra few hours during the week’,” she said.

“I can see both sides of the story, it’s is tough out there and if a business can pay their staff less then why not. But I know, it will be hard for workers.”

Bathurst RSL Club general manager Peter Sargent said the penalty rate cuts will not impact their staff.

“Our staff are covered by the Registered and Licensed Clubs Award, and are therefore unaffected by this decision, and will continue to be paid penalty rates,” he said.

“We’re happy to continue paying penalty rates to our staff, and feel that by continuing to offer attractive terms and conditions of employment, we are best placed to attract and retain great staff.”

The pay cuts take effect from July.​