The National Retail Association (NRA) has voiced its support for proposed changes to the Small Business Fair Dismissal Code unveiled today by the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Kate Carnell.
NRA CEO Dominique Lamb said the current Code is complex, difficult to understand and highly ambiguous in parts.
“Small business owners work long hours, face genuine financial risk and almost all operate with the intention of following the law. However, the current Small Business Fair Dismissal Code is hard to navigate for someone without a legal qualification and its ambiguous nature leaves some parts open to wide interpretation.
“The NRA supports a more streamlined set of laws that doesn’t make dismissing someone easier, but provides greater clarity over the process involved.
“Hiring and retaining good staff members is something that every small business places a premium on and often the decision to let an employee go is the last resort.
“A small business owner doesn’t have the financial war chest to engage in costly legal action, nor do they have support structures such as HR departments on in-house lawyers that big business has access to.
“A more simplified set of laws would result in fewer unfair dismissal applications to the Fair Work Commission, which is in the interests of small business owners and employees alike.”
The National Retail Association is Australia’s most representative retail industry association, with more than 24,000 shop fronts nationwide. It has been serving businesses in the retail and fast food sectors for close to 100 years.
Dominique Lamb is available for interviews.
Please contact the NRA’s media unit on 0467 792 013 or 07 3221 9222.