Is it right, fair, or even logical for the little shop on
your corner to be bound by the same Modern Award that applies to
Australia’s largest retailers? David Bates, Managing Director of
Better HR explains in his latest Switzer blog why its time
for a Modern Award for Small Business.

We really can’t over-emphasise the importance of good
contracts. Just imagine how much time, money and distress
could be saved by key terms of the employer/employee relationship
being put in writing and signed off by both parties.

Last week, we learned about a potential security threat
called the Heartbleed bug. Since learning about this
potential threat, Better HR has taken action to ensure
that our ultra-high security environment remains
secure and that we have a Heartbleed Safe Site.

In this issue:

• > Easter is fast approaching!
• > HR Advice Online: Our most commonly asked HR
  questions
• > Reminder about HR Advice Online Guaranteed
  Response Times
• > Changes to junior wage rates and minimum Award
  wages
• > COSBOA dinner raises important HR issues for
  small businesses
• > More

A few weeks ago I was invited to speak at a HR conference
where, consistent with the views I’ve previously expressed in this
blog, I challenged the fairness of the  Fair Work Act 2009 and
suggested that the Fair Work Commission (FWC) and Modern Awards are
simply not fit for purpose.  This prompted one
conference attendee to ask: what would you do if you were the
Minister for a day?

Regular readers of my Switzer column will know that while I am
deeply opposed to workplace bullying, I am also deeply opposed to
the new anti-bullying provisions.