Submissions open for Employment Relations Amendment Bill

HR professionals have an opportunity to voice their opinions on a number of contentious workplace issues as submissions are now being welcomed on the Employment Relations Amendment Bill.

The Education and Workforce Committee began inviting submissions on the bill yesterday with anyone able to share their thoughts until 30 March, 2018.

The bill seeks to amend the Employment Relations Act 2000 to meet the coalition government’s 100 day commitments on employment relations law. At present, it would provide minimum standards and protections for employees, and strengthen collective bargaining and union rights in the workplace.

The bill would make changes to provisions concerning:

• The recognition and operation of unions
• Collective bargaining
• Individual employee’s terms and conditions of employment
• The continuity of employment if an employee’s work is affected by restructuring
• Rest breaks and meal breaks
• Strikes and lockouts
• Personal grievances, disputes, and enforcement

Individuals can send their submission from now until midnight on 30 March, 2018.