Fair Work Commission announces action plan to assist small business employers

Fair Work Commission

By Sooraj Sidhu and Lindsay Carroll, NRA Legal Yesterday, the Fair Work Commission’s (FWC) president Iain Ross responded to reports commissioned last year, which urged the establishment of a ‘Small Business Division’ of the Fair Work Commission and the reduction of red tape associated with unfair dismissal and adverse action claims. The news comes following […]

Are you ready for five generations in the workplace?

As part of its commitment to helping businesses prosper, the Australian Chamber is launching a new conference series called NextGen in Business, bringing together top global and local thinkers to share their skills and experiences. For the first time in history five generations will be working together. The NextGen series leverages lessons from global innovators […]

Message from the CEO: 30 January 2017

Dominique Lamb CEO National Retail Association

The long-awaited decision on weekend penalty rates in the retail and hospitality sectors is right around the corner, however the Federal Opposition has reignited debate this week after saying the ALP would move to change the law on the penalty rates, if the decision is to reduce Sunday overtime to the same rate as Saturday’s. […]

A mentally healthy workplace makes good business sense

The cost of mental illness to Australia’s economy has hit $200 billion a year, according to Herald-Lateral Economics Index of Australia’s Wellbeing. One in four adults experience mental illness every year and one in seventeen Australians live with a serious mental illness. While many employers believe that employers shouldn’t bring their problems to work, most […]

Modern Award review: weekend penalty rate decision

It is anticipated that the Fair Work Commission will make a decision regarding weekend penalty rates by September. Adjustments to weekend penalty rates has been one of several issues flagged as a part of the Commission’s 4 year review of the Modern Awards. A number of submissions and applications have been made by employers and […]

Let’s create a more equal world

Last year, ANZ released the 2015 ANZ Women’s Report: Barriers to achieving financial gender equity, highlighting that globally: • Women earn up to 36 per cent less than men;• Women represent more than 40 per cent of the world’s labour force but only control a quarter of the world’s wealth; • Worldwide, women make up […]

Locking penalty rates into law will lock out small business

Locking penalty rates into legislation will lock out small business from Sunday trading, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry said today. James Pearson, CEO of the Australian Chamber, said: “If the unions have their way, we will soon have a situation where small cafes, restaurants and bars will find it too expensive to open […]

New head of ACCI announced

The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) announced this week that James Pearson would be appointed to the position of Chief Executive Officer, replacing former CEO Kate Carnell. Mr Pearson will take up his role at the end of the month and brings with him a wealth of knowledge from both private and public […]

Mentally healthy workplaces rated highly by younger employees

Gen Y, millennials, the internet generation – whatever you call them, younger workers are the future of your business.   And whatever you think of their values and motivations, they are career focused and know what they ideally want to attain. The problem lies in that they’re often not sure how to achieve this.   […]