CHANGES NEEDED FOR SMALL BUSINESS

From Peter Strong, CEO of the Council of Small Business of Australia. Over 96% of businesses are small. Over 60% of workplaces employ less than 5 people. Over 7 million people earn a living from small businesses. Yet the workplace relations systems have been designed for the 4% of businesses who have pay clerks and experts. If we want improvements in productivity and innovation we must change the way we approach workplace relations. All sides of politics need to agree on a simple system for the small workplace. We need a system that isn't based on philosophy and vested interests - we need a system that is based on reality and people. WorkChoices and FairWork Australia are and were systems based on outmoded beliefs about the way the workplace should operate and behave. One system was designed by big business to suit their belief in what a workplace should look like and the other system is designed by the union movement with the support of big business, to reflect their needs. In the end these systems, their development and implementation (and their eventual dismantling and reconstruction into another system) has failed everyone except the vested interests. We should accept the reality of our working world and have two systems: one for big business and its experts and one for small business. We firstly need a small business award that is easy to understand and can provide certainty to all people in the small workplace.

Business and Defence Partnership

How military thinking can enhance business productivity

There are many benefits you can gain if your employees are Reservists. Reservists are smarter thinkers, problem solvers with team spirit to get on with the job. They are disciplined, motivated, highly focused and develop a range of skills that become second nature to them. It's qualities such as these that will contribute to your company succeeding in today's ever evolving business climate. What's more, by showing your support to your Reservist employees, the Employer Support Payment Scheme can provide financial assistance of more than $1000* per week, which may be used for offsetting the costs of releasing Reservists for duty and paying for replacement staff. Discover how your business can enhanced if your employees are Reservists, and learn about the benefits and obligations you have as an employer. With a range of other support services also available to you, you'll soon see how a Reservist can make all the difference.

Find out more - call 1800 803 485 or visit www.defence.gov.au/reserves

LaConcierge - Linking students to jobs. www.laconcierge.com.au

*Conditions apply. Vist www.defence.gov.au/reserves for further details.