workplace relations roles

Question 1

hrm

Answer 1

responsible for managing the relationship between employees and the business

• represent employer in regards to workplace issues
• may act as bridge between employee and management
• represent the employer in negotiations for wages and conditions
• ensure agreements are negotiated in good faith and all legal requirements are adhered to
• arrange the employee vote on proposed arrangement
• arrange for eba to be approved by fwc
• implement awards and eba at workplace
• participate in resolution of workplace disputes
• liase with employer associations, unions and the fair work commission on behalf of management

Question 2

employees

Answer 2

to work towards the achievement of business objectives by carrying out their duties in a professional manner that does not put the business or other employees at risk

• participate in negotiation of workplace agreements directly or indirectly through representatives by raising issues they wish to see included or excluded
• vote on proposed agreements
• may be involved in industrial action if requirements

Question 3

trade unions

Answer 3

• offer advice, support and representation to member employees in relation to workplace issues
• often represent employees during the negotiation of eba or during dispute
• members elect shop steward to represent them and offer advice and support regularly, shop steward is then supported by trade union
• on a larger scale unions will represent workers by putting submissions to the fwc in relation to issues such as minimum wage hearings, award reviews and changes to penalty rates etc

Question 4

employer associations

Answer 4

organisations which represent the employers in relation to workplace relations issues

• associations will offer advice and assistance and support and representation to member businesses
• may assist employers by representing them during neg of new agreement or in settling a workplace dispute
• on a larger scale employer associations will put submissions to the FWC in relation to employers interests such as minimum wage hearings, award reviews, changes to penalty rates in industries etc

Question 5

Fair work commision

Answer 5

independent workplace relations tribunal responsible for implementing the fair work act of 2009

• sets and reviews awards for wages and conditions every 4 years
• sets minimum wage rate annually
• approves collective enterprise bargaining
• approves protected industrial action during negotiations of enterprise agreements where negotiations have broken down
• hears unfair dismissal cases
• hears disputes between employers and employees in relation to workplace relations issues where they have not been settles by other means