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Small retailers welcome 'one strike' fair dismissal - ARA calls on Govt to recognise modern casual workforce

Peak retail industry body the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) today welcomed the 'one-strike' warning system proposed in Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Julia Gillard's new fair dismissal laws but called on the Government to recognise the casual nature of the modern retail workplace.

ARA Executive Director Richard Evans said the Rudd Government's definition of small business as employers of 15 workers or less failed to take into account the large number of casual workers in small retail workplaces.

"The removal of the multiple three-step warnings to a one-strike system is a step in the right direction for retail employers and we also welcome the exclusion of seasonal and task specific employment under the new laws.

"However, with the causalisation of modern retail workforce many small retailers easily employ between 40 and 60 staff members and there is no certainty under the proposed fair dismissal arrangements for employers of a casual workforce.

"Australian businesses are changing. Casual workplace arrangements mean small business are growing in terms of employees but not necessarily in terms of profitability. New dismissal laws need to reflect this modern workplace environment," Evans said.

"Another concern for small retailers is the six month compensation cap. While retailers are supportive of a compensation cap, six months compensation is an unwelcomed financial burden for small retailers who are already suffering.

"Although the timeframes for the implementation of the laws are tight, the ARA looks forward to working with the Government over the next six months to educate retail employers about their rights and obligations under the new laws," Evans said.

For over 104 years, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has been the peak industry body in Australia's $292 billion retail sector which employs over 1.2 million people. As an incorporated employer body under the Workplace Relations Act and with a range of member services including business consulting, 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.

For interview opportunities with ARA Executive Director Richard Evans contact:
Kath Christie, ARA Policy & Media T: 0422 293 544 E: kath.christie@retail.org.au

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