Ashurst recently released its 2017 Bargaining Survey Report based on feedback from a range of businesses across industry sectors. It has some interesting findings about the state of Enterprise Bargaining in Australia.
Some of the key conclusions it finds are that:-
- most employers are using EAs to provide an environment of predictability and certainty in which to operate, rather than as a means to drive improvement;
- 60% of those surveyed don’t expect productivity gains from the EA; and
- 21% have EAs operating beyond their term.
So what is the message?
- That EAs are at best, an enabling mechanism to provide an employee relations framework. They are not the main game as far as business performance and improvement are concerned.
- The real focus remains on engaging employees around business improvement and the introduction of change.
- Understanding the perceptions of employees – what they think about the business, and what their experience is working there – is critical to achieving alignment and building trust.
- This needs capable leaders at all levels of the business who can explain change and lead it effectively.
The full report is at http://clientlink.au.ashurst.com/reaction/publications/WEB_18378-PUBEmploymentBargainingSurveyReport2017_FA1.pdf
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