busman 2K & 2L - Awards and Agreement and Dispute Resolution

what is an award?

a legal document that outlines the minimum wages and conditions of employees and is applicable to a particular business or group of businesses applies

what is NES?

National employment standards

what are the 11 national employment standards?

1. Maximum weekly hours

2. Flexible working arrangements

3. Requests and offers of casual conversation  

4. Parental entitlements  

5. Annual leave

6. Personal/Career’s Leave, Compassionate Leave and Unpaid Family/Domestic Violence Leave 

7. Community service leave  

8. Long service leave  

9. Public holidays 

10. Notice of Termination and Redundancy Pay 

11. Fair Work Information Statement and Casual Employment Information Statement 

what is a agreement?

an agreement is a legal document which outlines the wages and conditions of employees and is applicable to a particular business or group of businesses.

disadvantages of awards

• May not suit the needs of the business

• No relationship building between employers and employees as they are not involved in negotiation

• Employees may be less satisfied as they receive only minimum wages

• May not be suitable for the needs of employees

advantages of awards

• Improve transparency and equality between employees

• Ensure employees do not receive lower than minimum wage

• Can reduce time in determining wages – set by FWC

• Can be cost effective for businesses  - already set by FWC

disadvantages of agreements

• Can increase inequality in wages compared to employees in other businesses

• •More costly than awards as settled by employers and employees

• Can be time consuming as all parties are involved in collective bargaining

advantages of agreements

• Better relationship between employees and employers as they are involved in negotiations

• Maybe flexible to the needs of the business

• Can be represented by their union

• Receive better wages than awards

what is a dispute?

A dispute is a conflict between workplace participants because of a disagreement

what is a grievance procedure?

A grievance procedure is a formalised set of steps that employees and employers can follow to resolve workplace disputes

what is the first step of the grievance procedure?

1. employee presents their complaint to their supervisor/manager.

what is the second step of the grievance procedure?

2. employee presents this issue to more senior levels of management

what is the third step of the grievance procedure?

3. an important third party is brought in to help the disputing parties resolve their conflict though mediation.

what is the fourth step of the grievance procedure?

4. the dispute is referred to the Fair Work Commission, where arbitration will occur.