Australian employers’ use of Australian workplace agreements (AWAs) is continuing to grow, with more new employers adopting the innovative individual agreements last month than in any month on record
Australian employers’ use of Australian Workplace Agreements (AWAs) is continuing to grow, with more new employers adopting the innovative individual agreements last month than in any month on record. 415 employers had AWAs approved for the first time in February 2005. A total of 11,970 employers have now had AWAs approved since the commencement of the Office of the Employment Advocate (OEA) in 1997. To the end of February, the OEA had approved a grand total of 635,400 AWAs. In February alone, 15,980 AWAs were approved – a 52 per cent increase on the approval figures for the same period last year.
SA Government passes ‘Fair Work’ Bill
The South Australian Government recently passed its Fair Work Bill, with basic entitlements such as pay equity for women and a minimum wage. The Bill, which also includes provisions for bereavement leave, carer’s leave, more conciliation to avoid litigation and the option of three-year enterprise agreements, was watered down before approval following concerns from business groups. SA Industrial Relations Minister Michael Wright said the passing of the Bill was an important win for working families and the disadvantaged, while SA Unions state secretary Janet Giles said the Bill set a precedent for unions in their fight for further reforms.
Businesses struggling with savvy new recruits
Australian businesses need to lift their game if they want to keep the next generation of young workers satisfied, according to LINK HR Consulting general manager June Parker. Speaking at a Centre for Economic Development (CEDA) seminar, Parker said that businesses who use the one size fits all approach to managing staff of different generations will have a big disadvantage in the candidate short market. A lot of businesses are currently putting effort into graduate programs and attracting quality young staff. She said, however, there needs to be an ongoing effort to find out what motivates them to keep them as part of the team. She recommended providing a social environment, as enjoyment of work is a key factor, particularly for Gen Y.
Chandler Macleod to merge with Forstaff
HR outsourcing and recruitment companies Chandler Macleod Group and Forstaff recently agreed to merge to create Australia’s second largest company in its sector. Chandler Macleod managing director Stephen Cartwright said that a key objective of the first 12 months will be to focus on bedding down the merger and extracting its inherent benefits, particularly operational synergies and efficiencies. He predicted Australia’s $10 billion recruitment sector will undergo a dramatic transformation over the next few years, ultimately leaving room for only four to five dominant players. The proposed merger would position Chandler Macleod and Forstaff to take advantage of the ongoing consolidation of the highly fragmented HR outsourcing and recruitment sector, he added.
