The NSW Government’s controversial Workplace Surveillance legislation recently commenced, with concerns that up to 360,000 of the State’s businesses are not ready for the changes
The NSW Government’s controversial workplace surveillance legislation recently commenced, with concerns that up to 360,000 of the State’s businesses are not ready for the changes. There are approximately 400,000 workplaces in New South Wales, of which it is estimated 360,000 are already conducting some form of surveillance in the workplace and may be affected by the new laws. Such businesses run the risk of being caught out by new workplace surveillance laws and could face fines of $5,500 if they do not provide warning to their employees of surveillance. Everything from email to video surveillance to tracking devices on trucks is covered by the legislation. “Our concern is that employers who legitimately use these devices to reduce fraud, improve OHS and to protect employees from harassment will be caught by this legislation,” said Minna Knight, senior workplace policy advisor at Australian Business Limited.
Advance Australia where
The slowing labour market, already evident in a shortage of talented professionals in some sectors, presents the risk that businesses will be less equipped to outperform Australia’s slowing economy, according to William Maudlin, general manager BSI People. Speaking at a recent business briefing, he said that companies should be looking to recruit from international markets, including China, to counter this risk. “The rise of China represents immediate opportunities for Australia. We have already many Chinese and South East Asian students who, having studied here would remain or later return to Australia if given the choice. This presents us with a ready source of talented professionals ideally placed to balance our own shortages and optimise the anticipated growth in Australia – China trade,” he said. “In the longer term, global markets will continue luring our home-grown talent with larger salaries. Australia must counter by attracting professionals drawn to our lifestyle.”
Unpaid year-end overtime high
At the end of 2004, more than half of all Australian employees worked unpaid overtime, according to a recent survey of over 1,100 people by Hays. Additionally, 24 per cent of employers worked paid overtime and 20 per cent worked no overtime. “Five hours or less overtime per week to meet occasional fluctuating workloads, such as year-end requirements, is generally considered reasonable,” said Jacky Carter, director of Hays. “However, this overtime should not be taken for granted and it should be valued and rewarded in some form. When overtime becomes excessive, or is not recognised or rewarded, it can lead to lower productivity, lower morale, fatigue-related mistakes and accidents, higher turnover and increased absenteeism. As the skills shortage continues, we would not be surprised to see further pressure shift onto existing employees and overtime levels increase to ensure output remains high.”
Workplace of the future: One size no longer fits all
Australian businesses fail to see that a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to managing the needs of workers from different generations is no longer sufficient, according to an Australian recruitment firm. In 2005 the first baby boomers turned 60 and three generations now share the same workplace. Yet many businesses are failing to recognise that the needs of boomers, generation X and generation Y are totally different, says LINK Recruitment general manager Jason Cartwright. Speaking at a recent breakfast seminar, he said baby boomers are most at risk of having their needs ignored. “The generational conflict in the workplace is here to stay and is likely to become even more intense in the future. It is common sense that a 60-year-old worker has different motivations to a 25 year old, but many businesses are burying their heads in the sand rather than being proactive and addressing these different generational needs,” he said.
MyCareer to power Yahoo! Australia & NZ Jobs
mycareer.com.au recently announced that it will power Yahoo! Jobs in Australia & NZ from October 2005. mycareer.com.au said the partnership is a major development for the Fairfax Digital job board as it will provide the site with greater audience reach through the extensive Yahoo! Australia & NZ online network. The multi-year distribution deal also signals the beginning of a new phase for MyCareer as it begins to expand its online reach by powering an increasing number of both specialist and generalist job boards. “Yahoo! Australia & NZ has already been a valuable distribution partner for other Fairfax Digital classified sites like domain.com.au for real estate and drive.com.au for motoring, so we are naturally looking forward to leveraging the significant reach of the Yahoo! Australia & NZ network,” said Lisa Watts, general manager of mycareer.com.au.
