Workplace Relations 6 Flashcards
Workplace relations
Workplace relations is the total relationship and interplay that occurs between an employer and their employees regarding wages and working conditions
Collective bargaining
the process by which wages, hours, rules and working conditions are negotiated and agreed upon by a union with an employer
Trade union
An organisation formed to represent and protect the rights of workers in a particular industry
Negotiates and bargains on their behalf during the collective bargaining process
Argues employees’ cases during hearings that determine awards
Employer associations
A group of employers who unite to promote a common interest in employee relations issues
Represent employers during collective bargaining over wages and conditions
Argues employers’ cases during hearings that determine awards
HRM
Aim to develop positive workplace relations
They support and give advice to employers and employees and work closely with other areas of management responsibility to ensure a harmonious and productive workplace. They also make sure employees receive correct wages and entitlements, negotiate with employees or representatives (unions) regarding workplace relations issues and participate in the dispute resolution process
NES
38 maximum hours plus additional hours
4 weeks annual leave
Fair work information statement document outlining
Awards
legally enforced agreement that outline minimum requirements of: minimum wages, working conditions and overtime, meal breaks, holidays and leave, penalty rates and allowances, procedures (grievances and termination), superannuation, annual leave and leave loadings (determined by FWC), safety net, industrial law
*does not apply if the business has an enterprise agreement
Enterprise agreements
made between employers or employees; must be approved by a majority vote in the workplace and FWC (employees must be better off, lawful, time-bound, and include dispute settlement procedure)
Individual contract
Individual employment contract- legally binding contract of employment, pay and conditions, must be better off overall, usually for people with unique skills and in the professional workplace, lawyer
Dispute resolution process
IT’S A PROCESS
Mediation- negotiating parties appoint an unbiased mediator that makes the process fair, both sides get to say, does suggest
Conciliation- same as mediation but done by a FWC member, neutral but suggests (can be ignored)
Arbitration- method of industrial dispute resolution where an independent third party mediates and makes a legally-binding decision
Industrial action
Must be legal and taken under protected period
e.g. passive resistance, work to rule (bare minimum), boycott (refuse to do something, stop-work meeting), picket line (blockade prevent people from entering/leaving buildings), strike (deliberate withdrawal of the labor workforce).
FWC
An independent body funded by the government
approves and oversees the making or updating of awards
aims to promote productive and fair workplaces
