Workplace Relations can feel a lot like the nerdy younger brother your mum forced you to invite to your birthday party. You're trying desperately to hang out with L&D and OD but he's always tugging on your shirt drawing your attention away. I'm sorry to say, friends may come and go, but you're with your brother for life. One day he may even be your best friend. In Australia, we’ve got a workplace landscape like no other, from Fair Work laws to enterprise agreements and everything in between. So, if you’re eyeing that next step up the HR ladder, knowing your ER/IR isn’t just a “nice-to-have”- it’s your secret weapon to stand out to hiring managers! 🔍 Why Should You Care? Australia’s got a seriously strong legal framework for work conditions, wages, and employee rights. And navigating it requires some next-level knowledge of: • Award interpretations • Enterprise agreements • Fair Work legislation • Dispute resolution (because workplace dramas happen!) Let’s be real, it can be tricky to get this experience when you're just starting out and it’s not in your job description yet. If you’re in this boat, don’t stress! Start learning the ropes now, and future-you will thank you big time. No one expects you to master Australia’s complex labour landscape overnight. But by showing you’re eager to learn and putting in some research, you’ll be setting yourself up as best you can 🌱 Links in the comments for some to help you along the way!
Building a strong HR foundation is key, and a focus on ER/IR should be top priority.
It's also crucial for HR professionals to recognise that they can be held personally liable. Simply being unaware of certain laws or regulations doesn't absolve you from responsibility.
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Talent Partner | Connecting People & Talent professionals with purpose driven organisations | Your resident Kiwi 🥝
5moWant to get a head start? Here are some handy resources 💼 •National Employment Standards: https://www.fairwork.gov.au/employment-conditions/national-employment-standards •List of Awards: https://www.fairwork.gov.au/employment-conditions/awards/list-of-awards •Enterprise Agreements: https://www.fwc.gov.au/agreements-awards/enterprise-agreements/find-enterprise-agreement •Employment Contracts: https://www.fairwork.gov.au/employment-conditions/contracts