Small Business
Small businesses make up a substantial part of the Australian workforce. There are some 1.9 million small business operators in Australia employing between 1-15 employees. Every year approximately 20% of the Australian workforce changes its job.
Australian Bureau of Statistics
As a small business owner the task can be onerous, managing and operating your business while trying to keep abreast of changing employment obligations. First IR has been assisting Australian small business owners for many years with employment advice, and in particular, how to simplify employment arrangements. We provide advice both written and/or oral over the phone. Our rates are competitive and generally we can answer your query following a short phone conversation.
Employment obligations
If you operate a small business and employ any staff there are certain employment obligations required of an employer. These obligations come from a variety of sources - federal, state and territory laws, industrial awards and agreements, tribunal decisions and contracts of employment (whether they are written or verbal). The Fair Work Act 2009 sets out a number of requirements that businesses, including small business, need to adhere to. Small business employers have certain rights afforded to them that differ from larger businesses.
Some of the obligations of the Small Business employer are:
- paying the correct wages (either the minimum wage or wages in a modern award).
- obligations to keep records and provide pay slips
- meet the provisions of the National Employment Standards (NES)
- unfair dismissal laws that apply to small business
- workplace rights
- enterprise agreement making obligations
- transfer of business rules, and
- ensuring a safe working environment both physical and psychological
Contained within the Small Business section of our website are a series of papers providing an overview of key employment matters. These documents provide an overview only and are intended to be general in nature; they should not be relied upon as legal or written advice.
My HR Assistant
First IR operates a subscriber service to small business operators. For a small annual fee subscribers may access a secure area My HR Assistant that provides helpful advice, fact sheets and template documents for the small business operator. In addition, small business subscribers are also able to benefit from discounted rates when calling us for personalised employment relations advice or services. To subscribe to this service please register online (a tax invoice will be sent to you upon registration) or for further details and/or registration please email us at megan@firstir.com.au or call our office during business hours.