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. […]
We are fast approaching one of the busiest and most rewarding times of the year. This week, we’ve seen a landmark law passed in New South Wales, with the NSW Government allowing regional businesses to open their doors on Boxing Day, just in time for this year’s Christmas season. The NRA strongly supported […]
The recent case of Fair Work Ombudsman v F.L. Press Pty Ltd & Anor (No 2) [2015] FCCA 2967 (4 November 2015) serves as a timely reminder to employers to seek advice as to the appropriate classification of employees, and be mindful of what actions might be considered adverse to the employee and open the […]
The Retail Trading Amendment Bill 2015 (NSW) was introduced on the 11th of November and is the first major reform of trading laws since 2008. The bill (which has passed but will come into effect on the date of assent) removes the restrictions on NSW businesses from operating on Boxing Day (26th December). Previously, trading […]
It’s just seven weeks until Christmas, and no doubt you are already well and truly gearing up for what I hope will be a very prosperous time of the year. Yesterday, I released to the media the economic forecasts done by the NRA’s in-house research team, looking at the likely outcomes for the pre-Christmas sales […]
The Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) is a United Nations effort to internationally standardise chemical classication, labelling and safety data sheets (SDS) in the workplace. The GHS uses a common set of pictograms, signal words and hazard warnings to universalise classifications. Australia adopted the third revised edition of the GHS […]
Get Healthy at Work is a free NSW Government service that aims to improve the health of working adults. The service focuses on: healthy weight physical activity healthy eating active travel smoking harmful alcohol use Get healthy at work assists with creating healthier working environments by: addressing individual behavioural and workplace factors contributing to poor […]
We’re excited to have been once again selected as the retail skills advisor for the Queensland Government through the VET Industry Engagement Program. The purpose of the Program is to advocate and recommend the reforms needed right now for the Queensland retail sector around skills, training and workforce development. As part of our role, the […]
Loyalty campaigns have become a critical way to embrace your great customers and drive sales. This Christmas retailing season is a great time to kick your loyalty campaigns up a gear. No doubt you will experience increased shopping traffic through your bricks and mortar store as well as online stores for those involved in omni-channel […]
As a result of the Queensland Government’s “Improving Safety for Queenslanders at Work” Policy, Work Health and Safety laws in Queensland have changed effective 22 October 2015. The amendments to the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 are as follows: WHS entry permit holders allowed to enter a workplace immediately if they suspect a contravention […]
According to the Fair Work Commission’s newly-released annual report, general protections claims involving termination of an employee has risen by 17.5% in 2014-15. This increase is slightly down in comparison to the previous year. However, the number of claims grew to a total of 3382, with around one third of them allowed to proceed to […]
This week I hosted follow up discussions with the office of the new Treasurer Scott Morrison. We discussed a number of topics including the implementation timeline for scrapping the GST Low Value Threshold, the need for further tax reform, and the Financial Systems Inquiry. Regarding the costs of credit card facilities, the message from […]
An employer has been unable to successfully establish that they dismissed a client analyst as a result of poor performance. Employment of Mr Anderson with BNP was subject to a three month probationary period. Just days prior to his termination, Mr Anderson was confronted by his supervisor in earshot of other employees on 19 March […]
The NRA recently made a submission to the Department of Employment in relation to the review that the Department is currently conducting into various aspects of the Fair Work Amendment Act 2013. Our submissions addressed various provisions that were incorporated within the Fair Work Act 2009 as a result of this amending legislation which have […]
As part of Safe Work Month, Safe Work Australia is hosting a series of free, interactive online seminars that showcase the latest thinking, innovation, research and developments in work health and safety. The seminars features business leaders, academics and work health and safety experts sharing ideas, experiences, skills and knowledge. Program items include live broadcasts,online […]
On Monday this week the Federal Government released its response to the Financial System Inquiry. Of most interest for retailers was a commitment to prohibit merchants from levying credit card surcharges “that are greater than the cost to them of accepting payment by card”. A delegation from the NRA met with the new Treasurer, Scott […]
The Queensland Government has re-introduced the Retail Shop Leases Amendment Bill again into parliament after the original Bill lapsed when the last election was called. The Bill followed extensive consultation as a part of the statutory review that started in 2013. The NRA was a member of the Reference Group that considered all the proposals […]
The Office of Small Business Commissioner in New South Wales is proceeding with the review of the Act which lapsed due to the elections earlier this year. The review commenced in 2013 with a series of meetings help with various stakeholders. The discussion paper identified eight key areas of concern. Those areas were:- Information asymmetry […]
In a recent hearing in South Australia, an employer’s decision to refuse permanency to a driver with Asperger’s was deemed unfair and irrational, but not a breach of any anti-discrimination laws. According to the Tribunal, it was fair to consider the potential for future injury and therefore no breach of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 […]
NSW Fair Trading recently commenced its annual pre-Christmas toy safety checks targeting suburbs and towns across the State. Discount stores and ‘pop-up kiosk’ traders will be a focus with inspections continuing for several weeks. Fair Trading Commissioner Rod Stowe said kiosk traders tend to be direct importers, securing their products via the internet. “They generally […]