Many employers will be acutely aware of the Productivity Commission's current inquiry into the Workplace Relations Framework. Issues being considered and which were the strong focus of recent submissions to the Productivity Commission, include the ability for employers to flexibly manage and engage with their employees and to also respond appropriately to changing economic and market conditions.
With the Productivity Commission's final report not due until November 2015 and any recommendations to be adopted by the Federal Government to be taken to next year's election, employers need to look to the current regulatory framework for solutions. Employers grappling with the rigidities of modern awards, particularly in respect of working arrangements and overtime and penalty rates, should revisit whether their business should consider making an enterprise agreement with their workforce.
To assist employers, we have developed a series of Factsheets and three of these, released today, are focused on Enterprise Agreements and provide some useful information as to what is involved and can be achieved through the existing enterprise bargaining framework. Further Factsheets in the series will cover trade unions, rights of entry and industrial action and be released over coming weeks.
Three Factsheets are now available for viewing:
- Enterprise Agreements - What are they and why make one?
- Negotiating for an Enterprise Agreement
- Enterprise Agreements - Content and procedural requirements for approval
Award-winning law firm HopgoodGanim offers commercially-focused advice, coupled with reliable and responsive service, to clients throughout Australia and across international borders.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
