Australian workers have amassed over 88 million annual leave days, with one in five Australians owed more than one month’s holidays, according to market research firm ACNielsen Australia
Australian workers have amassed over 88 million annual leave days, with one in five Australians owed more than one month’s holidays, according to market research firm ACNielsen Australia. In a recent online study of more than 1,000 Australians, the average accrued leave levels were at 21 days (more than four weeks), with those aged 55 years and over and those on high incomes ($80,000 plus) having the highest average accrued leave levels at 24 days. Australians received an average of 22 days’ leave per year according to the survey findings.
Skill shortage conference set for Melbourne
Bolstered by a long period of economic growth, Australia is faced with the corresponding challenge of a national skills shortage of potentially critical proportions. With the greater part of the population nearing retirement, an unprecedented number of industries are feeling the pinch as demand for specialised skills outstrips supply. The Australian Financial Review will be running Skilling Australia, a two-day forum which will provide intelligence and insight for those involved in fields such as training, recruitment or business strategy. The forum will be held in Melbourne on 21 and 22 September. For more information see www.informa.com.au/skilling.
SMB launches salary packaging Café Card
Salary packaging services provider SMB Salary Packaging recently launched SMB Café Card, which was developed to allow employees to salary package food and beverages purchased from employer-provided cafeterias via a secure electronic swipe card for payment. All cafeteria purchases made via this salary packaging arrangement are FBT exempt for employees, who can save up to 48.5 per cent on purchases made in their employer’s cafeteria as the actual purchase price is deducted from their gross salary. All purchases are captured at point of sale via the employee’s card and a card reader which stores all transaction information.
