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New National Employment Standards
The government has released the finalised National Employment Standards (NES).
The NES are ten minimum employment standards that will apply to all employees. They will replace the current five minimum standards. At 50 pages, the NES appear less complex than the 149 pages of WorkChoices standards they replace.
The NES have been referred to in today’s press as the new ‘ten commandments’ for business and include:
1. Hours: Maximum of 38 hours per week plus reasonable additional hours;
2. Family friendly arrangements: Ability for employees to request flexible working arrangements, which an employer can refuse on reasonable business grounds;
3. Parental leave: Both parents entitled to separate periods of 12 months unpaid leave after 12 months’ service. Mother can request an extra 12 months’ unpaid leave, but employer can reject;
4. Annual leave: 4 weeks annual leave with the potential for awards to allow annual leave to be cashed out through awards if no duress used;
5. Personal leave: 2 weeks personal/carer’s leave and compassionate leave;
6. Community service leave: Community service leave including up to ten days paid jury service leave;
7. Long service leave: Long service leave in accordance with state legislation (which is highly variable);
8. Holidays: Public holidays in accordance with currently recognised holidays;
9. Termination & redundancy: Notice of termination and redundancy pay in accordance with current standards;
10. Information: An obligation on employers to provide a Fair Work Information Statement (covering employee rights).
The government plans to introduce legislation later this year to implement the NES and the other substantive changes. The Business Advisory Group (of which HIA is a member) will be the primary vehicle used by the Federal Government for consultation on this issue.
Housing Awards Briefing Night
The HIA is proud to offer our members an information evening dedicated to our Housing Awards this year. Have you ever thought about entering but unsure of the process? Ever wondered what the benefits of being an award winner are? Come along and join Bryan as well as an Awards judge for handy hints and all the information you need about the awards.
This session will be held in the HIA office- Frances Bay Drive, Stuart Park on June 25 between 5pm and 7pm. A registration form is available here.
Member Connect Online Classifieds
HIA is inviting members to place advertisements on Member Connect, an on-line bulletin board linking members to other members and the public through hia.com.au.
Member Connect allows a member to post an on-line advertisement (including photographs) in three categories: For Sale, Jobs and Wanted.
Items that can be advertised on Member Connect can include power tools or equipment for sale or wanted, second-hand vehicles, building materials and products as well as positions vacant or wanted.
While the public will be able to access Member Connect to purchase products or hire a member’s services, only HIA members will be able to post an on-line advertisement.
It is intended to build up on-line advertisements over the next four weeks to test for adequate depth on the bulletin board before launching to the public. For this reason access to Member Connect can be achieved through hia.com.au/memberconnect.
Nissan Offers HIA Members Exclusive Deals
Nissan Australia and the Housing Industry Association have agreed to collaborate in promoting the sale of Nissan commercial and passenger vehicles to HIA members.
As one of Australia’s major light commercial vehicles and SUV suppliers, Nissan is ideally suited to meet the needs of the association members.Nissan’s award-winning Navara utility and cab chassis, iconic Patrol wagon and cab chassis and dual-purpose, work-play Pathfinder and X-TRAIL SUV’s have been popular with tradespeople for years.
Nissan’s Managing Director and CEO, Dan Thompson said, "Passenger sedans also featured strongly in the HIA fleet and Nissan’s Tiida, Micra, DUALIS, Maxima and 350Z are well placed to attract interest from HIA members." HIA’s Managing Director, Ron Silberberg added, “The extension of the special price discount to sedans and four-wheel drives is a first among motor vehicle manufacturers and should be well-received given the number of HIA members who use sedans for company vehicles.”
For HIA members looking to update their vehicles, you are now eligible for special HIA-Nissan vehicle pricing across the entire range plus if you purchase this month you will also pick up the applicable end of financial year campaign offers. Full details will be available via HIA’s web site shortly but in the meantime drop into any Nissan dealer, say you are an HIA member, and they will be happy to assist.
For further information on the Nissan product line-up and dealer locations visit nissan.com.au
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