SW campaign for small business

SMALL businesses in the South West have been given the opportunity to brush up on their knowledge of the state’s industrial laws, as employers and employees seek to ensure business profitability in the current economic climate. Acting executive of labour relations with the Department of Commerce, Bob Horstman, said specialist workplace advisers were being deployed to the Busselton-Dunsborough-Margaret River region to advise SMEs on employment rights and obligations in the Western Australian industrial relations system. Mr Horstman said the South West was a heartland of small business, with many falling under state employment laws, it was important for the department to connect with the regional community. “Hospitality, tourism and horticulture are key industries in the region, with widespread casual and seasonal work,” he said. “It is important to foster positive employment relationships for building productive businesses.” Mr Horstman said education and advice on industrial law helped avoid disagreements and disputes, which could result in potentially costly wages settlements and penalties for small business employers that failed to comply with their obligations. “The state government strongly believes in encouraging flexible, balanced and productive workplaces that serve the needs of both the employer and employee,” he said. Meanwhile, the Small Business Development Corporation is holding a networking function on March 18 to provide small business operators with tips and strategies on how to adapt to changing times. SBDC managing director Stephen Moir said SMEs were often able to react quickly to changes in the marketplace, and the event aimed to provide them with the right strategies for making those changes. Adam Orlando