What we are doing to help small business

As small business owners, we know you face challenges accessing our services. We want to empower you to access our services with confidence. There is work underway to improve your experience. This includes:

• a Flexible Delivery Model pilot for conciliation of dismissal claims
• New learning modules for our Online learning portal.

Flexible Delivery Model pilot

We are piloting an alternative approach to our conciliation process from 15 August 2022. During the pilot, we will test a new Flexible Delivery Model (FDM). The pilot is an opportunity to:

• review our processes
• find efficiencies
• meet the changing demand for services.

We will select cases at random to be part of the pilot where:

• the claim involves small business (up to 49 employees) AND
• is an unfair dismissal claim OR
• is a general protections involving dismissal claim.

We will deal with all other cases in the normal process. We will compare results with the normal process to help us measure the success of the pilot.

A Flexible Delivery Team will manage cases selected for the pilot. This team includes dedicated case managers and conciliators. They will engage with both parties (applicant and respondent) earlier in the process and:

• explain our processes
• explain the potential outcomes
• help them to prepare for conciliation with the other side

As part of the pilot, staff conciliators will deal with cases more flexibly. They will determine the most efficient process for dealing with each case. As part of our flexible approach, not all cases will need a conciliation conference. Some will resolve early in the process without the parties meeting. In other cases, parties will need to meet with the help of a staff conciliator.

Our current conciliation model has been in place for over 10 years. In designing the pilot, we have considered client feedback about this model. We are confident this flexible approach better reflects your needs.

If your case is selected for the pilot, you do not need to do anything. We will lead you through the pilot process and answer any questions you have as your matter proceeds.

New online learning modules

We are building 2 new online learning modules. The modules will provide you with more information on:

• preparing for conciliation of unfair dismissal claims
• sexual harassment in the workplace.

We will launch the sexual harassment module later this year. The conciliation module will launch early 2023. The new modules will be available on our Online Learning Portal.

Unfair dismissal conciliation module

This module will help you to prepare for an unfair dismissal conciliation with a staff conciliator. The learning will target self-represented parties (applicants and respondents).

In the module you will access information about:

• the unfair dismissal process
• the role of a conciliator
• resolution options and potential outcomes
• next steps if a matter doesn’t resolve
• other support agencies and services.

The module will take 15-20 minutes to complete.

Sexual harassment module

This module focuses on sexual harassment at work. It will improve your general awareness and understanding. The module will help you understand:

• what is sexual harassment at work
• the impact of sexual harassment
• the impact a bystander can have
• other resources and our jurisdiction.

The module will feature case studies, interactive scenarios and activities. The module will take 15-20 minutes to complete.