The Federal Government’s new industrial relations laws made their debut on December 15, 2023. Spanning two pieces of legislation and weighing in at a hefty 423 pages, these documents not only represent the most significant amount of IR reform seen in this country in decades, but the creation of a bureaucratic maze that even the most astute businessperson is struggling to navigate.
At the South Australian Business Chamber, we have a pretty simple indicator when legislative changes are complex and concerning for business – our Business Advice Helpline runs hot. The phones are cooking right now.
When we survey local business operators the message is clear and consistent — government policy is having a negative impact on their operations and the federal changes reflect an industrial relations bias against employers. Small businesses are simply not resourced to deal with the weight and complexity of the changes when they are busy just trying to stay afloat in very challenging economic times.
The scope of these reforms is extensive, with the whole concept of employment hit hardest. It is not an overstatement to say that changes around casual employment rights, independent contracting, the gig economy, right of entry, workplace delegates’ rights, enterprise bargaining agreements, and employees’ rights to disconnect have created an environment of fear and uncertainty where employers feel like they are being set up to fail. When honest, hard-working business owners are worrying more about the Fair Work Commission than their competition down the road, something is amiss.
In response to the demand for clarity and information, the South Australian Business Chamber has organised extensive information sessions to try and simplify the changes and present them in a way that makes sense – even if the philosophy behind the policy change defies logic!
Through a mix of in-person events and online webinars, we will spend the next few months providing a service to local businesses both metro and regional as these policy changes start to take effect.
Tellingly, our most recent event sold out quickly and was heavily attended by HR managers and professionals. Unfortunately, many small businesses do not have the luxury of that resource. If the professionals are coming to us looking for answers, it’s asking a great deal of a small business owner to be across the details of these changes.
We want to create an environment in South Australia where business owners and entrepreneurs are encouraged and supported. That role should not belong exclusively to the Chamber, it needs to be backed by all levels of government. Right now, we are seeing a narrative out of Canberra that is increasingly divisive, with business being portrayed as the bad guy and employees and unions seeking retribution through a raft of industrial relations reform.
Reform that drives people out of business, stalls productivity and quells innovation will benefit neither party — employer or employee — in the long term. Our SMEs make up 98% of businesses in SA. They are the heartbeat of the economy and when they go, the jobs go with them.
The South Australian Business Chamber is committed to supporting businesses through this period of uncertainty to help them remain safe and productive while these changes land. Register for our upcoming webinar series to find out more about these changes and what you need to do to ensure compliance.
Members of The Chamber have access to the Business Advice Hotline, where our advisors can assist in understanding employers’ responsibilities under these changes, and a team of consultants who can work directly with businesses to help implement more significant changes to contracts or operations that may be required under the new laws.
That’s the good news – help is available. What is of greater concern is the unknown as to just where the federal government’s agenda of industrial relations will end.
