HUMAN RESOURCES: Influences

Question 1

What are stakeholders?

Answer 1

An individual/group that has a common interest in or is affected by the actions of business.

Question 2

What is employee churning and its main cause?

Answer 2

Moving frequently between jobs - bored quickly and want more challenging, interesting work.

Question 3

What are employer associations?

Answer 3

Organisations that represents and assists employer groups.

They provide advice (especially to small businesses) on matters like awards and discrimination issues.

Question 4

What are a log of claims?

Answer 4

A set of claims for improved pay or conditions lodged by a trade union on behalf of workers.

Question 5

What is an example of an employer association?

Answer 5

Australian Medical Association.

Question 6

What are trade unions?

Answer 6

Represents employees in efforts to improve wages and working conditions.

Question 7

Why is membership in trade unions decreasing?

Answer 7

Poor images of unions in the media.
Feminism - women less likely to unionise.
Legislative changes - to reduce union power.

Question 8

What is an example of a trade union?

Answer 8

Australian Council of Trade Unions: represents all unions.

Question 9

What are statutes?

Answer 9

Laws made by federal and state parliaments; e.g, laws relating to employment conditions.

Question 10

What is the Fair Work Act and Commission?

Answer 10

Act: gives employers + employees the same workplace rights and obligations, regardless of the state they work in.
Commission: Organisation that implements the FWA.

Question 11

What is the role of the Fair Work Commission?

Answer 11

Assists in resolving disputes involving employers, employees, unions

Question 12

What are NES, its purpose and examples?

Answer 12

10 employment standards - protects minimum entitlements of employees. Some examples are max weekly hours (38 hours/week), annual leave (four weeks paid leave/year).

Question 13

What is the Racial Discrimination Act?

Answer 13

Prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, gender etc.

Question 14

What are industrial courts and tribunals?

Answer 14

Exist at the federal and state levels to enforce laws established by governments.

Question 15

What is an employment contract?

Answer 15

A legally binding, formal agreement between employer and employee.

Question 16

What is common law?

Answer 16

A collection of judge-made laws - guided by a ‘precedent’ (judgement made in previous case).

Question 17

What are employer obligations in relation to common law?

Answer 17

Payment of wage/salary with the relevant award.
Safety of employees.
Compliance with relevant legislations, e.g WHS.
A fair treatment of all employees.

Question 18

What are employee obligations in relation to common law?

Answer 18

Obeying lawful/reasonable commands of an employer.
Act safely in the workplace.
Be honest, fair with customers/other employees.

Question 19

What are award contracts and IFA?

Answer 19

Agreements that outline the minimum wages and conditions for workers in a particular industry.
IFA - allows employers/employees to negotiate changes.

Question 20

What are enterprise agreements and its benefit?

Answer 20

Collective agreements made between an employer and a group of workers - offer broader terms/conditions then a modern award.

Question 21

What is the difference between single enterprise agreements and multi-enterprise agreements?

Answer 21

Single is between a single employer and a group of employees while multi is between two or more employers and groups of their employees.

Question 22

What are individual contracts and the types of employees that use them?

Answer 22

Employee on a private contract - not covered by any award or collective agreement; used by accountants etc.

Question 23

What are the benefits of casual employment?

Answer 23

Paid 1.5 times the rate paid to permanent staff - not entitled to any benefits such as sick leave.

Question 24

What are the benefits of part-time employment?

Answer 24

Enjoy benefits that a permanent employee is entitled to, on a pro rata basis (proportionate to the number of hours worked per week).

Question 25

What are contractors?

Answer 25

Not employed by a business but are contracted to complete a set task in return for a payment.

Question 26

What is the purpose of WHS?

Answer 26

Employers must ensure the health, safety/welfare of all employees by providing a safe system of work.

Question 27

WHS: Workers’ Compensation Insurance

Answer 27

Generates funds via premiums paid by employers to provide financial support to injured workers.

Question 28

What are some examples of anti-discrimination acts?

Answer 28

Affirmative Action Act 1986.

Anti-Discrimination Act 1977.

Question 29

What is equal employment oppurtunity?

Answer 29

The equitable policies in recruitment, selection, training and promotion.

Question 30

How does the economic cycle affect HR?

Answer 30

Downturns - employers reduce working hours, hire less workers.
Upturns - employers hire more to produce goods in higher demand.

Question 31

What are the impacts of globalisation on HR?

Answer 31

Downsizing or relocating due to increased global competition may mean separation.

Question 32

How does technology impact HR?

Answer 32

Creation of new jobs/skills.
Makes some jobs reductant.
Employees often more efficient.

Question 33

What are some social changes in HR?

Answer 33

Growth in part-time and casual work.

Since 1980, the participation rate of females aged 25-54 has increased by over 20%.

Question 34

What is are the HR benefits of maintaining ethics and cooperate social responsibility?

Answer 34

Staff retention/absenteeism rates improve - feel more valued.