Deadline looms but businesses still unprepared for Fair Work Act

SYDNEY, September 29, 2009: Deadline looms but businesses still unprepared for Fair Work Act

Australian businesses are being urged to update and finalise their work policies and practices as the deadline looms for complying with the federal government’s Fair Work Act.

There’s little more than three months until deadline, but according to The Human Resources Centre, many businesses are still unprepared and should “get to work, now” on transitioning to the new employment framework.

By January 1, 2010, all Australian businesses will need to be compliant and prepared to manage the changes and challenges of the country’s new industrial relations laws, including:

• National Employment Standards, a set of minimum conditions for all Australians, which provides for more flexible working arrangements and more generous severance conditions;
  
• Modern Awards, which will affect pay scales and employment terms and conditions, such as leave entitlements;
• Unfair Dismal laws, which will now only exempt businesses with fewer than 15 staff, compared to fewer than 100 staff under the previous system.

The Human Resources Centre managing director, Katherine Graham, says the changes under the Fair Work Act are not complicated, but they are time-consuming to interpret and implement.

“Not getting it right from the outset means more time and money spent backdating correct awards and conditions,” Graham says. “For example, businesses need to get their job classifications right, they need to update employment agreements and work practices in line with the new penalty rates, they need to ensure their policies support these new Fair Work guidelines and they need to communicate to staff, in writing, any changes to their employment provisions.

“There’s a lot of work do be done between now and January 1, and it can be a challenge because not only do businesses need to fully understand, implement and manage these new workplace conditions, but they also need to do it while keeping up their standards of running a business, day to day.”

Media contact and interviews: Managing director of The Human Resources Centre, Katherine Graham, is available for media interviews and background information. Graham has more than 15 years’ experience in human resources and payroll management.

To arrange an interview or for further information, including case studies, please contact Daryl Phillips on dphillips@humanresourcescentre.com.au

About The Human Resources Centre: The Human Resources Centre is an Australian owned and operated human resources consultancy, offering a wide range of services in all areas of HR management, including strategic, operational, legal, training and payroll functions.

With offices in each capital city, The Human Resources Centre assists organisations in areas such as: review of their HR structures and practices, compliance with workplace laws; recruitment and workplace policies and procedures; remuneration and performance management; staff training and development; workplace relations and mediation; occupational health and safety; payroll management and organisational culture.

The Human Resources Centre also operates The Resolution Centre, a specialist division advising on workplace conflict, mediation and employment law, and The Managed Payroll Centre, which offers outsourced payroll services.

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