Archive, Industry News

Website eases workplace law concerns

SMEs can now access free online resources to help them better understand rights and obligations to staff under new workplace laws

September 9, 2009M

SMEs can now access free online resources to help them better understand their rights and obligations to staff under the Federal Government’s workplace law changes.

The Fair Work Education and Information Portal is a joint initiative of the Australian Government, Council of Small Business (COSB) Australia, Workforce Guardian and Telstra Business.

It includes video guides to help businesses navigate the new laws, free summary papers that can be downloaded, regular live interactive web sessions and electronic newsletters to keep businesses updated.

COSB CEO Jaye Radisich says the website’s launch comes at an important time for small business.

“When the new laws took effect on 1 July 2009, 85 percent of employees or employers around the country were potentially affected. A recent Telstra survey indicated that four out of five small to medium businesses were unprepared for the new IR laws.

“The site will allow small businesses to get across the key issues in a matter of minutes. This is important because in most cases small businesses don’t have the luxury of an in-house HR manager or lawyer that many big businesses have,” she says.

Federal Minister for Small Business, Craig Emerson, is officially launching the new website in Canberra today.

The site is designed to given small and medium businesses a wide range of information on the Fair Work Act, potentially reducing a company’s exposure to legal risks.

It is being funded by the Commonwealth Government, through the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.

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