CCIQ concern over new modern awards legislation
7 January
Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland (CCIQ) has today indicated significant apprehension over the introduction of the Federal Government's new 'fair work' national employment standards and modern industrial awards.
CCIQ President David Goodwin said hundreds of thousands of businesses have seen dramatically altered industrial relations arrangements for their workplace and a week after the introduction, many are yet to be fully conscious of what the changes entail.
"Aside from dramatic increases to employee entitlements, the biggest problem is the one-size-fits-all approach," Mr Goodwin said.
"There is almost no flexibility for businesses under these new arrangements and a lack of flexibility leads to unfairness and lower productivity.
"These changes, together with the new unfair dismissal and collective bargaining laws, significantly add cost and complexity to being an employer in Queensland."
Mr Goodwin said the introduction of the new legislation will cause headaches for small and medium businesses which do not have dedicated human resource or industrial relations experts on staff to assist with the transition.
"Employers will look at it these new laws and say there's too many new rules and regulations and will asses their options for reducing their exposure, such as casualisation or even lower staffing arrangements," Mr Goodwin said.
"New costs on employers, such as new wages and penalty rates in industrial awards, will also build up over time.
"Others such as the national employment standards and aspects of the new awards have immediate impact."
While private sector union coverage is only 14 per cent, Mr Goodwin doesn't believe that many businesses are aware the changes provide many avenues of union intervention in workplace arrangements.
"For small business this is particularly frightening," Mr Goodwin said.
"Union officials will be coming into their business and interrupting workflow, effectively taking the small business operator's eye off the ball."
Mr Goodwin said employers need to be aware not just of their responsibilities, but their rights.
"These new laws must be monitored to consider the impact of the changes on Queensland businesses, jobs and the economy," Mr Goodwin said.
"There will no doubt be a period of transition and CCIQ is encouraging Fair Work Australia to continue raising awareness before any stick is bought out of the closet."
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