The West Australian Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) recently ruled that employees across the state are entitled to up to 16 weeks’ redundancy pay. The landmark decision doubled the amount employees receive across the rest of Australia after the Federal IRC said employers must give redundant staff eight weeks’ pay
The West Australian Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) recently ruled that employees across the state are entitled to up to 16 weeks’ redundancy pay. The landmark decision doubled the amount employees receive across the rest of Australia after the Federal IRC said employers must give redundant staff up to eight weeks’ pay. While businesses with less than 15 employees are exempt from the WA ruling, the 16 week payout kicks in for workers after serving nine years on the job. The decision, which applies to workers regardless of whether they are employed under an award, collective/individual agreement or common law contract, will take effect from late June.
Pink Salt’s wounds rubbed over AWA kerfuffle
Sydney-based Pink Salt restaurant, competing in the reality TV show My Restaurant Rules, was recently forced to pay more than $8,000 in back wages after trying to force their staff onto individual employment contracts. Following an internet campaign by the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers’ Union (LHMU), the restaurant made back payments of $8,187 to 26 employees. NSW Industrial Relations Minister John Della Bosca said Pink Salt cooperated fully throughout an investigation, and was now complying with NSW industrial laws, including paying staff the correct rates, issuing pay slips and maintaining proper employment records.
Mateship alive and well in the workplace
Australians enjoy their relationships with workmates, outside of the workplace as well as at work, according to a recent poll of 446 employees. Conducted by Newspoll and commissioned by CareerOne, the poll found that 92 per cent enjoy working with their colleagues and workers in Sydney were more likely to socialise with colleagues outside work than were those in other Australian capital cities. Furthermore, men wanted to spend more time with loved ones than did women, and women said they felt they had a better balance between work and life than did men. Employees aged 18–34 years were also more likely to socialise with colleagues outside work than those aged 35 years and above.
Conference to address skills shortages and wages breakouts
Skills shortages and wage breakouts have been a topical issue in the media of late, with various interest groups proposing different strategies to address the issue. During a half day conference on 2 June in Sydney, the University of Sydney’s acirrt will bring together a group of HR practitioners, workforce planners, industrial relations experts and economists to examine the issue and explore how organisations facing skills shortages are dealing with the problem. Topics to be addressed at the conference include the hot spots and likely trends in skills shortages, factors influencing wage outcomes and practical approaches and strategies that organisations are adopting to address skills shortages. For more information see www.acirrt.com.
Employers have employee benefits work cut out
Discounted health insurance and home loans are among the non-superannuation benefits that employees would like most, but employers are failing to recognise their appeal, according to a study from Mercer Human Resource Consulting. It found that non-super benefits employees rate highly are often underestimated by employers. For example, the most desirable non-super benefit that employees indicated was discounted health insurance (68 per cent) while employers ranked it as the 13th most valued benefit by employees. Employers also underestimated the importance of discounted home loans which they ranked a lowly 19th, however it was the second highest benefit employees wanted (64 per cent).
University of Ballarat offers fast track management training
Management training often needs to strike a balance between quality and the time required for such training. The University of Ballarat TAFE Division runs a ‘Fast>>Track’ Advanced Diploma of Business Management for managers who want to back up their experience with formal education but who may not have time for a degree course. The course, which is designed to lead to a formal qualification within six months, is interactive and includes class discussion, a seminar on commencement, two days per month of class contact, half day-tutorials and assignment work, The University of Ballarat’s Raelene Gunner said. For more information see www.ballarat.edu.au.
