The release of the new draft miscellaneous award has prompted concern from a state lobby group, which says businesses will suffer higher costs from a widening of the award's scope.
The announcement is below:
Today's release of the new draft Miscellaneous Award by the Australian Industrial Relations Commission is another worrying sign that the award modernisation process will impose higher costs and more administrative burdens on local business.
The State's peak organisation representing local business, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia, is concerned that under the proposed system, a greater number of professional employees, including accountants and lawyers, will be covered by an award.
This is not what the Federal Government originally intended to do.
An initial examination of the draft award has revealed it contains hefty overtime penalties for hours worked in excess of the standard 38 hour week, and shift penalties for working after 7pm.
CCI is concerned these proposed new award system will result in an increase in costs for business, and create a significant administrative burden by forcing employers to record the hours their staff work.
It is important the transition to the new regime be managed carefully to ensure businesses understand what is required of them, and give them time to prepare for change.
The Government is embarking on the most significant shake-up of Australia's industrial relations awards system in its history. More than 1,500 awards will be reduced to 130 by the end of the year.
CCI urges Western Australian businesses to seek expert advice on what the new award system will mean for their business before the changes come into force on 1 January next year.
