Australian Workplace Agreements - How They Work For You

The employer / employee relations environment has been constantly evolving during the last 25 years. In Australia, as in many western nations, the balance between employers and employees has shifted back and forwards usually in response to supply and demand.

At times worker organisations, such as unions, have caused considerable problems for employers while arguing that unionism protects workers pay and conditions.

While this has been true in some arenas it has also been true that this has come at the expense of enterprise flexibility.

Small business today needs the flexibility to rapidly respond to technological and sociological change and the old award system and its archaic inflexibility have to change.

In the late 80's and 90's there was a shift towards enterprise bargaining agreements and collective agreements which gave an individual enterprise increasing workplace flexibility.

These agreements, at the enterprise level, where parties were normally unions on behalf of workers and small business went some ways in achieving of flexibility but still retained some of the old thinking and inflexible practices. In essence the old award system continued to be a reference point for minimum wages and entitlements for workers.

In 1996 the federal government introduced Australian Workplace Agreements (AWA) which was specifically designed with individual business and worker in mind.

At its fundamental level an AWA is a formal written agreement between an employer and an individual employee. A significant advantage to workers and business is that an AWA can be tailored to cover all particular requirements for your business.

AWAs have a life of 3 years, however if they are carefully written can continue long after the 3 year expiry date.

By way of example you may own a farm where seasonal workers are required. Your AWA can be designed to reflect seasonal requirements that suite both worker and employer.

You employees may want a 4 day working week. Your AWA can tailor this requirement into the agreement and without payment of penalty rates for working in excess of 8 hours per day.

Take Australian Zoo owned by Steve and Terri Irwin. Because of their unique requirements in caring for animals AWA's have provided flexible working times. With a workforce of 450 people they have been able to grow their business in the certainty of wages and conditions.

Other advantages of an AWA may be that an employee is able to cash out sick leave at the end of every year reducing the amount of sick leave taken and providing an added incentive for turning up for work each day. It all adds up to flexibility.

An AWA can override state and federal award provisions, as long as the terms and conditions of the AWA overall do not disadvantage the employee when compared to the award. This gives the employer and employee certainty of conditions in the employment relationship. A business without a written formal agreement between worker and the employer is at risk to claim before industrial tribunals and courts.

Certainly documenting and agreeing on individual workplace wages and conditions means certainty of cost and the ability to be competitive.

Cash, Costs and People are the number one ticket item in many businesses today. For helpful information visit us at www.biz-momentum.com

Philip Lye is the founder of Biz Momentum Pty Ltd providing strategic human resource management to help your business grow.

Prior to starting Biz Momentum Philip was CEO and CFO of two companies. http://www.biz-momentum.com

Wood Dale Chicago prom limo .. Lockport Chicago limo O’Hare
In The News:

Fueled by artificial intelligence, CyberDog the robotic dog is designed specifically locate fire ant nests, which are endangering ecosystems.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents
Internet browsers are useful, but they can be dangerous. Clicking on malicious links can direct you to dangerous websites that steal information or infect your device.
Apple's latest iOS update introduces advanced artificial intelligence capabilities, which may be capturing and analyzing sensitive information.
Breach site confirmed 56,904,909 Hot Topic users' data leaked online. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says the company's silence makes matters even worse.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson discusses how an innovative Easy-Way kit turns standard strollers electric, simplifying navigation for parents.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson talks about T-Mobile being hacked in broad cyberattack on global phone and internet companies.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson shows you how to add, customize and manage widgets for quick access to apps and info from your iPhone home screen.
Wrong Google searches can not only compromise your device and personal data. They can also bring law enforcement to your doorstep. Hackers are targeting Google searches.
China's Shanghai Kepler Robotics has developed a new humanoid robot that can carry up to 35 pounds per hand for commercial applications across various industries
Checking your hearing has gotten easier with the new hearing test feature in AirPods Pro 2. You can take reliable hearing tests using your iPhone or iPad.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains how a VPN — virtual private network — works and how running it can slow down the operation of your device.
The WalkON Suit F1, an exoskeleton developed to help people with disabilities, can actually walk over to a person in a wheelchair, solving a major problem.
ClickFix, a new scam targeting computer users, is on the rise in the U.S. The scam prompts its targets to click on a link to fix a problem.
Skydweller is the world's largest unmanned solar-powered aircraft that can stay airborne for weeks, and even months, without refueling.
The U.S. government said it is investigating after People's Republic of China hackers targeted commercial telecommunications service providers in the U.S.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Scammers are using increasingly sophisticated ways to lure unsuspecting victims, and some are impersonating an email help desk or support team.
You can unsend or edit your iMessages with the latest iOS updates. Kurt the CyberGuy explains how you can save yourself some potential embarrassment.
Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says there’s been a rise in cybercriminal services using hacked police and government emails to send subpoenas and data requests to U.S. companies.
Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson discusses how Axiom Space and luxury designer Prada are collaborating on NASA's Artemis III spacesuit design.
Voice assistants may cause confusion across devices. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson offers some solutions to fix it.
Shameless scammers trick veterans into giving personal info or cash. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson explores five common scams.

The Role of the Business Model and Strategy for Business

People will always stress that having a well researched business... Read More

Consistency with Janitorial and Cleaning Businesses

Consistency is a huge word when operating your business. I... Read More

Expand Your Professional Organizer Business

Grow your Professional Organizer business by branching out into related... Read More

Self Serve Car Washes in the United States

In the 2003 Auto Laundry News Survey it was determined... Read More

Don?t Wait for the Perfect Plan

1. Don't Spend Too Much Time PlanningWhen you are entering... Read More

Do You Need the Help of a Virtual Assistant?

Running a business, whether large, small or in your home,... Read More

Boat Detailing Tips and Procedures

Auto detailers are often asked to clean boats and detail... Read More

Boat Detailers; Add-on Products and Services

As a Boat Detailing Specialist, you may want to offer... Read More

How To Get Slightly Famous in Print

Early in my career, I wrote an article for a... Read More

How to Protect Yourself & Your Business

As a business owner, you already know how important it... Read More

The Virtual Assistant

As a small business owner, outsourcing work to Virtual Assistants... Read More

How to Promote Yourself to Small Business Riches

You've heard it before; we're living in an information age.... Read More

Success & The Nature of Things

The story is told of a tiger chasing some goats... Read More

Franchisee; Vacation Managing

Do you own a franchised business? Over 400,000 franchised businesses... Read More

Does Your Small Business Marketing Suffer From The Bulldog Effect?

If you're an entrepreneur responsible for your own small business... Read More

Pressure Washing Heavy Equipment

One of the best ways to make money in the... Read More

Mobile Detailing Expansion Considerations

Expanding your business requires you to take a good hard... Read More

Build Credibility, Value, and Trust on a Shoestring

Setting priorities in your business? Your first job is to... Read More

Lubbock TX Good Market for a Service Business

We very much like what we see in Lubbock, TX... Read More

Dealing With a Crooked on the Take Government Worker

Many government department heads are on the take. Oh they'll... Read More

The Workers? Compensation Situation in this Country is Nuts, Arnold in CA Takes Action

The Workers' Compensation situation in this country is unbelievable. Why,... Read More

Mini-Blind Cleaning Business, Case Study

Sometimes the simple businesses are the ones, which make good... Read More

Asphalt Paving: Striping Your Parking Lot

As you may already know, asphalt paved parking lots do... Read More

Small Business Marketing - Clarify Success

When you hear the word "success" does it bring on... Read More

Money Series 1: Who Takes Your Money

Your business is making profits, but where is the cash?... Read More

Antigo wedding limo ..