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New Work Place Relations laws

PostPosted: Mon Mar 27, 2006 6:38 pm
by stan
As im not really in the know about these things i am aware of a few problems that these laws will cause. I would have to say the one that might cause some grief is the abolishment of the unfair dismissal laws for a company under 100 people. Could and probably will cause issues. What do other people think of the new laws. Lets discuss.............

PostPosted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 4:03 pm
by MightyEagles
Don't like them myself.

PostPosted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 4:40 pm
by Wedgie
Basically if you're crap you'll get sacked, if you add value to your workplace you wont and will probably get a raise.

PostPosted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 5:19 pm
by Coorong
Probably the most accurate statement ever placed on any forum in the past two years. (other than Westies will finish no lower than 5th)

PostPosted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:34 pm
by mick
Liberal to my back teeth, but I feel uneasy. I see it as another step in the americanisation of Australia, I'm not anti-American but having been there a few times, I think Australia/UK/Canada/Western Europe are more compassionate and fair societies. Having said that I probably won't change my vote unless they impact negatively against me. Just call me selfish :wink:

PostPosted: Thu Mar 30, 2006 7:01 am
by Dog_ger
A Raise...! lol No one gets a raise at my place of employment...!
Have a personality clash or don't agree with the boss and you could be looking for another job..!
Not this time Howard..........!
We will never compete with China Mr Howard...!

PostPosted: Thu Mar 30, 2006 7:49 am
by Booney
Wedgie wrote:Basically if you're crap you'll get sacked, if you add value to your workplace you wont and will probably get a raise.


When employers start giving out raises for the hell of it,as opposed to a collective bargaining agreement which involves all parties,I'll be very surprised.

For many years,the workplace laws have weighed to heavily on the side of the employee,and made it extremely difficult to remove some one for fear of an unfair dismissal case.(Believe me,in a former life I tried to sack 2 employees,only to be told by my Managment not to even bother,as their lawyers were so fearful of a wrongful dismissal case.) The ledger needed to be levelled out,but not as much as it has been.I fear for the future of many people,it wont just be the hopeless that are sacked,personality clashes will now result in good workers being dismissed.

On another note,the unfair dismissal laws state,a company with less than 100 employees is considered small? WTF?
If I own a company that has 83 workers in it,I think I'd be doing all-right,how can a company of that size be considered small?

PostPosted: Thu Mar 30, 2006 8:59 am
by Leaping Lindner
Image

PostPosted: Thu Mar 30, 2006 2:38 pm
by JK
Interesting situation, being involved at an ownership level in small business I have continually been dismayed by the fact that our employee's could potentially hold guns to our heads in several area's .. Thankfully, we like to create a "Happy Family" type environment and haven't been pushed too far with this, but it's always seemed to me that employee's can dictate what they want, when they want to the detriment of a business, and lets face it if that business can't make a profit it will close it's doors and ALL it's employee's will be worse off!

Thats speaking from my own slant and own experiences, and I'm sure there are plenty of cases of employee mistreatment, abuse and/or neglect which needs to be eradicated, so there is obviously a need on each side of the fence .. I'm not sure whether these new agreements provide that or not as I simply don't know enough about it.

And Booney, we have regularly given pay rises without being prompted, or requested by our employee's (in fact I'd suggest thats been the norm rather than the exception).

PostPosted: Thu Mar 30, 2006 2:53 pm
by duncs7
mick wrote:Liberal to my back teeth, but I feel uneasy. I see it as another step in the americanisation of Australia, I'm not anti-American but having been there a few times, I think Australia/UK/Canada/Western Europe are more compassionate and fair societies. Having said that I probably won't change my vote unless they impact negatively against me. Just call me selfish :wink:

Ur Selfish!

PostPosted: Thu Mar 30, 2006 9:24 pm
by Ian
On the news tonight, it mentioned the Commonwealth Valuers Dept.
Their collective agreement expired today, and they have all been offered individual agreements, complete with pay cuts of up to $17,000 pa. (or the othr choice, leave!)
When does your departments agreement expire Wedgie?
Thankfully when State Government was re elected, they renewed their policy of continuing with collective agreements. (not that they have meant much of a rise for the last 10 years, but it's better than going backwards)

PostPosted: Thu Mar 30, 2006 9:29 pm
by Wedgie
Ian wrote:When does your departments agreement expire Wedgie?


We signed a new 3 year agreement in January this year. Not much of an agreement but heaps voted yes just out of scare tactics. We dont' have a very strong union/work body as its mainly made up of middle aged woman.

PostPosted: Thu Mar 30, 2006 9:32 pm
by Ian
Wedgie wrote:
Ian wrote:When does your departments agreement expire Wedgie?


We signed a new 3 year agreement in January this year. Not much of an agreement but heaps voted yes just out of scare tactics. We dont' have a very strong union/work body as its mainly made up of middle aged woman.


At least you've got 3 years before your pay gets slashed :?
Who did you vote for last federal election :?: :wink:

PostPosted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 7:02 am
by Booney
Constance_Perm wrote:Interesting situation, being involved at an ownership level in small business I have continually been dismayed by the fact that our employee's could potentially hold guns to our heads in several area's .. Thankfully, we like to create a "Happy Family" type environment and haven't been pushed too far with this, but it's always seemed to me that employee's can dictate what they want, when they want to the detriment of a business, and lets face it if that business can't make a profit it will close it's doors and ALL it's employee's will be worse off!

Thats speaking from my own slant and own experiences, and I'm sure there are plenty of cases of employee mistreatment, abuse and/or neglect which needs to be eradicated, so there is obviously a need on each side of the fence .. I'm not sure whether these new agreements provide that or not as I simply don't know enough about it.

And Booney, we have regularly given pay rises without being prompted, or requested by our employee's (in fact I'd suggest thats been the norm rather than the exception).


Good points CP.I appreciate the problems involved in the past with difficult employees.Your point about a company making profit,or else every one goes,I believe will influence the thinking of many more small business owners into making a decision to sack a current staff member and simply find some one else to do the same job,but for much less pay.This creating a merry-go-round of huge proportions.