Narrator:
Small businesses are a major part of the Australian economy, employing nearly half of Australia’s private sector workforce. Many of these employees have their conditions set by modern awards. But many small business employers have a limited knowledge of workplace laws or the role and processes of the Fair Work Commission.
We’ve been making changes that help these important employers to better understand their rights and obligations and minimise disruption to their business when they interact with the Commission. We’re providing clear, easy to understand information about unfair dismissal claims, general protections applications and anti-bullying matters.
Our new website features a dedicated entry point for small businesses, where they can quickly find the information they need.
The virtual tour uses videos to explain how to respond to unfair dismissal applications, what happens during telephone conciliations and how to prepare for hearings and conferences. There’s also information about how to make a jurisdictional objection or seek free legal advice in jurisdictional matters.
We’re making our forms more simple and easier to complete. And we are providing tools and checklists to make it easier for small business employers to represent themselves at the Commission.
Meanwhile, we’re delivering a range of information on the new anti-bullying jurisdiction, to help small businesses understand how the Commission deals with complaints about bullying and what constitutes bullying in the workplace.
We are working with the small business community through round-table events and other consultations to ensure this important sector can access the information it needs in easily understood forms.
