The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) are calling for a modernisation of the General Retail Industry Award (GRIA) that reflects the needs of today’s retail employees and business owners.
In response to the current review, the ARA has put forward 13 recommendations that seek to simplify the award, provide greater choice to employees, and which better reflect the modern retail workplace.
ARA Chief Industry Affairs Officer Fleur Brown says the proposal before the Fair Work Commission (FWC) gives employees greater choice and employers of all sizes the certainty they need.
“Australians and retailers operate in a seven-day economy and employees need the flexibility to structure their work in a way that fits their lives. These changes give them more control while making sure small businesses can confidently meet their obligations and run a sustainable business,” said Ms Brown.
“Under our proposal, employees can choose to work a four-day week or have the option to split shifts and take their breaks when it best suits their needs.
“This means parents will have the flexibility they need to pick up or drop off their school kids or employees who just want to finish early can do just that.”
COSBOA CEO Luke Achterstraat says reducing complexity will help small business owners focus on running their businesses and supporting their employees.
“It’s high time to recognise that small business supports five million Australian jobs, and the industrial relations system needs to reflect this reality,” said Mr Achterstraat.
“In the retail sector alone, employers must navigate 994 different pay rates across 96 pages just to ensure their employees are paid correctly. It’s unworkable.”
“Red tape is killing Australian small businesses. It’s not sustainable.”
“A clearer, more practical award system means business owners can spend less time on administration and more time creating jobs, training staff, and supporting their communities,” Mr Achterstraat said.
“We need to make sure our workplace system supports economic growth and productivity, job security, and fair opportunities for employees and employers alike.”
The ARA’s 13 submission proposals for the GRIA:
There are 13 proposals in the ARA submission which will be heard in March 2025. These are listed below:
- Proposal A – Amendment to make clear that “written records” include digital records;
- Proposal B – Amendment to allow for split shifts with employee agreement;
- Proposal C – Amendment to minimum break between shifts on different days;
- Proposal D – Amendment to improve ability to average hours over longer periods;
- Proposal F – Amendment to remove restriction of 19 starts for full-time employees;
- Proposal G – Amendment to enable 38 ordinary hours to be worked across four days;
- Proposal H – Amendment to remove the requirement for consecutive days off by agreement;
- Proposal I – Amendment to clarify employees regularly working Sundays;
- Proposal J – Amendment to introduce salaries absorption for managerial and higher-level staff;
- Proposal L – Amendment to remove requirements to notify break times in advance for non-part-time employees;
- Proposal O – Amendment to clarify annual leave loading;
- Proposal P – Amendment to provide an ability for employees to waive a meal break and go home early; and
- Proposal Q – Amendment to clarify the application of the first aid allowance.
The full submission can be accessed here.