EMPLOYMENT IN THE SMALL BUSINESS
1. Entrepreneurship and Small Business Resource Web Site,
http://www.prenhall.com/scarbzim/
Small Business Management Audit. Human Resources
Management.
- What is a management audit? Who should adopt the
procedures and why?
- Evaluate the 9 questions. Which 3 may be the most
important? Why?
- In Australia, what may the answers be for many small
businesses?
Small Business and Entrepreneurship Resources. Human
Resources Management.
- Select 3 sites that would be valuable for a small business
owner-manager. Describe the site and explain its usefulness.
2. Small Business Victoria,
http://www.business.vic.gov.au
Resource Centre. Publications. Fact & Info
Sheets. Legal Aspects of Your Business. Employers' Responsibilities.
Employer Checklist.
- Apart from common law, what other legal responsibilities
are held by employers towards their employees?
- What is the employer responsibility for employee
superannuation?
- Give examples of the obligation of employers to provide a
safe workplace.
- Can a small business employ a child under the age of 15
years? Explain.
- Outline the items to be included in a "position
description" and "employment record."
3. Australian Workplace,
http://www.workplace.gov.au
Workplace Relations. Legislation. Workplace
Relations Act 1996. Publications on the Act. Key Features of the New
Workplace Relations Law.
- Explain the differences between formal and informal
agreements. Which would be best for small businesses?
- What are "Awards" and how do they relate to formal and
informal agreements?
- What is the "safety net"?
- If you were a small business employer which 6 of the
"twenty allowable matters" should be in an award in your opinion? Nominate 6
matters which you would rather not include. Give your reasons.
4. Office of Small Business,
http://www.industry.gov.au/
Search: "Small Business Publications" A Guide for Micro
Businesses - The Workplace Relations Act 1996.
- How are "micro businesses" defined? Does this agree with
the definition adopted in Chapter 1 of the text?
- Explain the key features of the Workplace Relations Act
1996.
- Explain the terms "fair go all round", "safety net",
"freedom of association", "industrial action".
- Termination of employment has been a contentious
issue for small business owner-managers. Explain why. Carefully explain the
key aspects of the law.
5. Office of the Employment Advocate,
http://www.oea.gov.au/
- What is the role of the Employment Advocate?
- What is an Australian Workplace Agreement (AWA)? How does
it differ from a Certified Agreement ? Which is preferable for small
businesses?
- Are AWAs becoming popular with Australian firms, large and
small? Explain by using Australian data.
- Explain the meaning of the following terms with regard to
workplace relations - salary packaging, bargaining agents, no-disadvantage
test, annualised salaries, freedom of association.
- Could AWAs assist or hinder dispute resolution in SBs?
Explain.
- Could AWAs be used to promote the training of employees?
Explain.
6. Office of Small Business,
http://www.industry.gov.au/
Search: "Small Business Publications" Resolving Small Business
Disputes.
- What is a "ADR"?
- Which 3 types of disputes do you believe may be most
common in small businesses and why?
- What are the differences between "mediation",
"facilitation" and "arbitration"?
- Who are the ADR providers? Which type would be the most
preferred by small business owner-managers and why? Would small business
employees prefer the same type of provider? Explain.
- Case Studies. Explain how mediation was used in the
Partnership dispute (Martin brothers).
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