Member Spotlight: Chris Marks, Head of HR – ANZ of Swarovski

We interviewed our members to hear their insights and adventures in the retail world. Meet Chris Marks, Head of HR of Swarovski. How long have you been in retail?/How did your retail career begin? I had worked in customer service roles throughout my school and university years. It was only as my HR career developed […]

The future of HR and Payroll software

In today’s world where technology is rapidly evolving, the value that an effective HR & Payroll strategy can deliver to an organisation is more important than ever. By leveraging tools, systems and data to draw insights and provide strategic direction to management, HR technology is a necessity in helping organisations better serve their key stakeholders […]

Lack of written warnings leads to unfair dismissal ruling

by Sid Sidhu and Troy Wild Ashley Duddington v Mario and Clara Enterprises Pty Ltd and Morgan Trading Pty Ltd [2017] FWC 2958 Small business employers (employing less than 15 employees) are reminded by a recent case before the Fair Work Commission (FWC) to use the Small Business Dismissal Code (the Code) when terminating employees. […]

Managing Change in the Workplace

by Yvonne Williams, NRA Training Team A change means to make something different, be it an environmental change, behavioural change, relationship change or emotional change.  Changes comes in many shapes and sizes and can be triggered by many different internal and external factors. Because change ultimately affects our habitual nature it will evoke emotions that […]

Message from the CEO: 21 November 2016

Dominique Lamb CEO National Retail Association

The Federal Government’s proposed industrial relations changes go before the Senate this week – the culmination of a long-running (and distracting) national debate which has included the double dissolution election in July. Unrest on building sites may seem a long way from the issues that affect NRA members and other retailers, but the impact of […]

High demand for trained staff

Over the last 12 months, the NRA has delivered training to over 200 jobseekers through the Skilling Queenslanders for Work program, and we are very pleased to report that almost 50% of these people have found employment in retail. Recently we asked for expressions of interest in hiring trainees from our members, and were overwhelmed […]

MEMBER ONLY ARTICLE – Fair Work Ombudsman puts employers on notice

The Fair Work Ombudsman, Natalie James, made an announcement at a recent Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI) briefing that put employers and advisers on notice when complying with workplace laws and regulations. New penalties have been implemented to fine individuals who are involved in facilitating a breach of the law as accessories. Before recently, Fair […]

Social Media Rules & Regulations HR Managers Need to Know

Yesterday, our Partners at Hello Social conducted a webinar exploring the Social Media Rules & Regulations HR Managers Need to Know, covering areas such as: What should be included in your social media guidelines. What you need to know from a legal perspective. Helping employees understand why these rules exist. Don’t worry if you missed […]

Roster Coster reduces the headache of rostering


Today, the National Retail Association (NRA) and Australian technology provider Rision Ltd launched Roster Coster – a free tool to enable NRA members and other retailers and fast food businesses to build and cost award compliant rosters. Rision CEO Kate Cornick said: “At Rision we understand that rostering is complex. You need the right person […]

Anxious wait over for national retail Finalists

Innovative, resourceful, self-starting, and downright talented. These are the words used to describe the crop of incredible retailers who’ve made it through to be named Finalists in the National Retail Association’s (NRA’s) 2016 Rewards for Excellence. The NRA has today revealed who’s in the running for the most prestigious Awards in the country, which acknowledge […]

IR Update: The importance of disciplinary meetings

In a recent case regarding a human resource manager, manager and a long-serving employee, the Fair Work Commission has found that a better briefing to a manager should have occurred before he dismissed an employee during a meeting. The employee had been working for K&S Freighters Pty Ltd for over 30 years without blemish. The […]

Revised training packages update

The National Retail Association (NRA) has been selected as the industry intelligence provider for the Queensland Government through the VET Industry Engagement Program. This position gives us the platform to advocate and recommend the reforms our members believe are needed for the retail sector around skills, training and workforce development. You may be aware that Industry Skills […]