Workplace Participants and Their Roles

Participants in the Workplace

• A business needs all participants in the workplace to collaborate for smooth operations.
• Several people and groups are needed to establish wages and conditions, resolve disputes, and uphold employee entitlements.

Roles of Workplace Participants

• Workplace participants influence and provide input into workplace relations to reduce conflicts.
• They promote communication and assist with determining wages and working conditions.
• The lesson covers human resource managers, employees, employer associations, unions, and the Fair Work Commission.

Human Resource Managers 3.2.8.1

• These individuals coordinate the relationship between employees and management.
• Responsibilities include employment of staff, dispute resolution, and upholding legal requirements.

Aspects of HR Role

• Recruit, hire, train, and terminate employees, hiring candidates with the required skills. Provide employees with training to maximize performance.
• Negotiate with employees and their representatives, which involves representing the business when developing agreements.
• Act as a mediating party, facilitating communication.
• Ensure that minimum legal requirements are met, making sure minimum pay and working conditions are upheld.
• They also promote a positive work environment.

Real World Example (Coles)

• Human resource managers at Coles aim to create a diverse and inclusive environment as part of their ‘Better Together’ strategy.
• Initiatives include LGBTQI+ inclusion training, altered hiring practices to increase representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, and focusing on channelling more women into leadership roles.
• HR managers played a significant role in facilitating negotiations between senior management and the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees' Association (SDA) Union.
• Coles operates under the Coles Supermarkets Enterprise Agreement 2017, providing improved penalty rates and higher pay.
• Creating and running learning programs is a core role to Coles.

Employees 3.2.8.2

• Employees are hired to complete tasks and support the achievement of business objectives.
• They fulfil their role in an efficient and safe manner, shaping the business’s corporate culture.

Aspects of Employee Actions

• Follow and understand workplace safety procedures and have awareness of OH&S procedures.
• Complete tasks with care and diligence, contributing to business objectives and reflecting business values.
• Obey terms in their contract; follow employee requirements, like working hours and dress codes.
• Avoid misusing confidential information and report illegal or unethical behavior.
• Also report businesses not upholding safety standards.

Real World Example (Australia Post)

• Employees must uphold safety, privacy, and bullying policies.
• Required to participate in training programs on driving under the influence and how to manage fatigue.
• Postage employees need protective gear and safety equipment.
• Must follow 'robust privacy protocols' and nurture the diverse environment, with 145 nationalities represented.
• Employees must 'speak up' if becoming aware of unacceptable behavior.

Employer Associations 3.2.8.3

• They are advisory bodies that assist employers in understanding and upholding their legal business obligations.
• Applying for membership can improve legal protection and gain assistance when negotiating employees' wages and conditions.

Aspects of Employer Associations

• Share information, actively making employers aware of new policies, laws, or regulations. They also assist employers in building relationships.
• Provide advice, encouraging strong communication with employees and assisting in creating policies that align with business objectives.
• Represent employers during negotiations with employees.
• Provide support, listening to concerns and offering management advice.

Real World Example (National Retail Association)

• The NRA represents retailers and quick-service restaurants across Australia.
• Membership provides access to workplace relations support, advocacy, training information, and HR advice.
• The NRA informs members of policy changes to ensure compliance with new regulations.

Unions 3.2.8.4

• They represent and speak on behalf of employees in a particular industry, to protect and improve their wages and working conditions.
• Joining a union is voluntary, but members must pay fees.

Aspects of Unions

• Represent employee concerns to employers during collective bargaining, aiming to protect and improve wages and conditions.
• Seek better wages and working conditions and provide resources and tools to communicate needs.
• Protect job security and integrity of employee contracts, respond to concerns related to wages, and ensure employers uphold legal requirements related to wages, safety and working conditions.

Real World Example (SDA)

• The Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA) provides advice and representation to employees in retail, warehousing, and food industries.
• The SDA launches investigations to prevent employers from violating workplace regulations or underpaying staff.

The Fair Work Commission 3.2.8.5

• Australia’s independent workplace relations tribunal with responsibilities outlined by the Fair Work Act.
• Established to ensure the rights of employees are protected.

Aspects of FWC

• Set national minimum working standards, revise and update National Employment Standards (NES), with employers needing to comply.
• Establish awards, determine minimum pay and working conditions, and ensure these align with NES.
• Approve and monitor enterprise agreements, ensuring agreements meet the NES and both parties genuinely agree to the terms. They can also terminate agreements if minimum requirements aren't met.
• Act as an arbitrator, making legally binding decisions after hearing arguments from both parties. As a mediator, facilitate conversations between disputing parties without offering opinions.
• Respond to serious workplace issues, assisting employees who have been unfairly dismissed or are dealing with bullying or discrimination.

Real World Example of FWC

• The FWC increased the minimum wage by 5.2% across Australia on 1 July 2021.
• Unions praised the decision as reasonable and fair, considering the rising cost of living.