Reflecting and consolidating

Chapter summary
  • The main participants in our work environment are the government (federal and states), the Fair Work Commission (and associated authorities), employers and employer associations, employees and trade unions.
  • Governments are responsible for enacting legislation to improve the conditions of workers; for example, health and safety laws and anti-discrimination laws.
  • The Australian Bureau of Statistics provides specific definitions of ‘employed’ and ‘unemployed’ people.
  • All workers have the right to work in a workplace that is safe and free from discrimination.
  • Statutory bodies such as the Fair Work Ombudsman and the Australian Human Rights Commission regulate acts of discrimination.
  • The Fair Work Commission is a one stop shop for information, advice and assistance on workplace matters.
  • The Fair Work Ombudsman’s role is to educate, investigate and ensure workplace laws are implemented and complied with.
  • National Employment Standards (NES) are 10 minimum standards which act as a safety net for employees.
  • Employers have a range of responsibilities relating to their employees, such as pay (award or collective agreement), entitlements, working conditions, providing a safe workplace, and paying taxes and super contributions.
  • Employees can be employed on a permanent (full-time or part-time) or casual basis.
  • Employer associations support, share information and represent employers.
  • Trade unions act to protect the rights of employees.
Interactive activities

Key terms

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Short-answer questions
  1. Define the following terms. Demonstrate your understanding by incorporating each term in a sentence.
    • Award
    • National Employment Standards
    • Trade union
    • Fair Work Ombudsman
    • Discrimination
  2. What is currently the most popular method of organising workers’ pay and working conditions at workplaces?
  3. What are the criteria used by the ABS to categorise a person as being ‘employed’?
  4. Which body is responsible for setting the safety net of minimum wages and working conditions in Australia?
  5. Discuss whether you believe the amount of regulation we currently have covering the workplace in Australia is a positive or negative influence on Australian businesses being competitive in the global market.
Extended-response question

In 2014 two large employers (Toyota and Ford) decided to cease their manufacturing operations in Australia. Many reasons were put forward as to why these large businesses were pulling out of Australia. One reason was workplace culture. An example of this was the expectation of some employees that they had ‘the right to take a long weekend’ and get paid for it by claiming Monday as a sick day, resulting in an adverse effect on productivity. Another reason was the interventionist and militant role played by some trade unions, causing workers to strike for long periods and then banning overtime when requested by the company as a way of overcoming lost production.

Discuss whether you believe that the reasons outlined above for manufacturers ceasing their Australian operations are valid or whether there are other important reasons that have led to this decision.