Call the HACSU Helpline
1300 88 00 32

more info

Summer 2004

Union movement sounds alarm over unfair dismisal laws and bullying

The union movement, along with many church and human rights groups, is appealing to the Howard Government to reconsider the abolition of the unfair dismissal laws, believing this would be a catalyst for further increasing bullying and harassment in the workplace.

Unions believe that if an employer is able to hold instant dismissal with no recourse over the head of an employee, this could and would be used by unscrupulous employers to bully and harass employees.

HACSU State Secretary, Chris Brown, said this law would be the single most destructive piece of legislation if passed.

"Having a job is one is the most important things to a person," Chris Brown said.

"If an employer says "You stay an extra hour, or you're on your bike," what is the alternative for the employee?"

"An employer could sack someone for talking in the workplace, or for not having the right colour shirt, and there would be no redress. The powers this would give to an employer is just monstrous."

"Almost five million small business employees will be exposed to the results of this if it is passed."

"Exempting small business from unfair dismissal laws is a green light for those who would mistreat others."

"It sends a signal to small business managers that they can treat staff badly and if people speak up they can be sacked with no warning. This is a recipe for unsafe workplaces - especially for women."

"The current dismissal laws only prohibit unfair behaviour and are not a major burden on small business."

"Less than 0.3% of small businesses experience a federal unfair dismissal claim in an average year."

"There is no evidence for the Government's repeated claims that unfair dismissal laws hurt jobs growth."

"In a recent comprehensive Commonwealth survey, less than 1% of small businesses gave unfair dismissal laws as a reason for not hiring staff."