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Retailers making concerted effort to keep up with IR changes- ARA calls for Govt help with more education

Peak retail industry body the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) said today’s report released by Fair Work showed the majority of retailers were making a concerted effort to comply with their employer obligations but government support for industry associations to provide ongoing education was required to ensure retailers were not unintentionally in breach.

ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said the fact that three quarters of targeted retailers were compliant showed retailers were genuinely trying to keep up with often confusing changes to the Modern Award and asking their industry association for help.

“As Australia’s largest private sector employer it’s imperative retailers are meeting Fair Work requirements and industry associations such as the ARA need government support to assist retailers to meet their employer obligations proactively.

“Keeping up with changing employer obligations can often be difficult and confusing for retailers who have to comply with changes to the Modern Award being phased in incrementally over five years.

“Smaller retailers in particular don’t have access to internal HR specialists to help them through the changes to Fair Work and it’s imperative for them to turn to their industry associations for assistance with their responsibilities when it comes to hiring and paying staff.

“The ARA has 35 industrial relations experts on hand to support retailers through changes and ensure they’re not caught out unintentionally.

“The ARA has conducted Fair Work and Modern Award seminars and webinars since 2009 up until the end of last year to help educate retailers about their changing employer obligations.

“The ARA will continue to run employment relations seminars and webinars throughout 2012 but we are asking for government support to continue with this education campaign,” Zimmerman said.

For over 100 years, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has been the peak industry body in Australia’s $240 billion retail sector which employs over 1.2 million people. As an incorporated employer body under the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009 and with a range of member services including policy development, advocacy and education, the ARA promotes and protects over 5000 independent and national retailers throughout Australia. Visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

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For interview opportunities with ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman
contact: Andie McMaster, Media & Communication Officer T: 0408 613 178 E: media@retail.org.au

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