Activate Australia’s first round table initiative focused on the ramifications of the recent employment law changes that will affect, predominantly, the options of casual employees.
The mandatory changes will impact casual labor across the board, potentially affecting the retail industry with over 25,000 employees on casual rates.
CEO and Director of Activate Australia, Keith Quigg said the purpose of the Round Table was to open discussion across the industry on the currency of employment for casuals. It tests the waters on EBA and other legal employment styles under the changing laws.
“The discussions focused on two key areas; the preference for casual employees to be casually employed and the loss of business for employers should significant changes be made to the rules”, said Quigg.
In attendance were senior leaders from the Activate membership board with guests Tertius Lombard, National Field Manager at Kellanova Sydney and Rachael Sutton, Employment Law Expert from Mills Oakley Law. The group examined organisations with existing EBA arrangements, reviewing their sustainability and debating alternative methods for employing and managing casual teams.
The table further discussed the introduction of an award program to recognise excellence within field teams through an ‘in-action’ project. The project aims to combat issues that had been raised in regards to the lack of recognition in the workforce.
“The plan is to commence an award that will recognise excellence from field team employees based on a submission of critical work performed and a presentation on the future of field team roles. It is expected to begin in Q2 2025,” said Quigg.
“While the actions of law have not yet hit the industry regarding casuals, it is imperative that a plan of action is in place. We welcome any input from employers or employees on this discussion”, Quigg said.
After the success of the first Round Table event, a second is set to commence before February 2025 in hopes to discuss further research on the future of casual employees.