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
executive chauffeured services Bradford .. Madison to Airport carHas this ever happened to you... 'John, you have a... Read More
In the Truck Washing Business every single type of vehicle... Read More
With all the cabinet refacing business opportunities out there, you... Read More
Do you operate your business as a series of projects,... Read More
To maximum potential profits and dollars in a mobile washing... Read More
We are noticing an increase in the length of time... Read More
Motivational author and speaker Jim Rohn says that for a... Read More
Large corporations use employee manuals to both educate employees about... Read More
Often smart entrepreneurs look for out of the way businesses,... Read More
The modern Franchise business model and the much different business... Read More
If you've been considering incorporating your small business, you've probably... Read More
The difference between rates and wages is not always clear... Read More
If a customer owes your local business money, it's hard... Read More
If you're like the rest of us, you've spent a... Read More
Did you ever have one of those days or weeks... Read More
Is this you?You dreamed of owning your own business, doing... Read More
A career coach could be simply defined your job seeking... Read More
If small business had no important outside audiences, it wouldn't... Read More
Auto detailers are often asked to clean boats and detail... Read More
To have one of the popular in home daycare businesses.... Read More
The day care industry is expanding. There are now more... Read More
Washing the exterior of a truck. Sounds easy right? Well,... Read More
There is a great deal of abuse going on in... Read More
Consistency is a huge word when operating your business. I... Read More
If you want to start a business in 2005, and... Read More
O'Hare Chicago prom limo ..Grow your Professional Organizer business by branching out into related... Read More
If you are a non-operator owner of many work trucks,... Read More
The Boston suburbs seem to be rich with possible locations... Read More
Like most regulatory bodies in the United States, the Federal... Read More
Cash is King?That is what everyone tells us and it... Read More
Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a... Read More
The restaurant industry in the United States employs an estimated... Read More
Many small businesses do quite well due to the blood,... Read More
COLLABORATIVE NEGOTIATING:Collaborative negotiating is a win-win strategy that can focus... Read More
Are you thinking of starting a small pressure washer business... Read More
American small business is again in transition. Many employees, now... Read More
Self-cleaning glass has been talked about a lot, with such... Read More
If you are just starting your business, or if you... Read More
Most small businesses will not even try to advertise on... Read More
Search Engines account for almost 90% of all web traffic!In... Read More
Where do you find the right people for a business... Read More
There are many little details that go into making sure... Read More
There are many choices when thinking about a small business... Read More
As you may already know, asphalt paved parking lots do... Read More
Should your business have a toll free number for customers... Read More
There are both fixed and mobile detailers. Consumers often will... Read More
Let's face it, we all tend to get stuck in... Read More
Did you ever have one of those days or weeks... Read More
Technical writing services are employed to explain the details of... Read More
THE PSYCHOLOGY OF PRICINGIn case you hadn't noticed, people can... Read More
Small Business |