HR For Small Business For Dummies, Australian Edition

Chapter 4

The National Employment Standards

In This Chapter

Getting to know the national minimum standards of employment

Understanding entitlements in Western Australia

‘Hey, a rule is a rule. And . . . without rules, there’s chaos.’

Cosmo Kramer, Seinfeld

Y ou may believe that you look after each and every one of your staff in many wonderful, thoughtful and generous ways, and I have no doubt this is true. Unfortunately, your pleadings count for zero if you don’t comply with Australia’s comprehensive framework of minimum wages and conditions of employment.

In this chapter, I summarise the ten National Employment Standards (NES), which help set the safety net of minimum standards of employment. These standards are essential, non-negotiable minimum employment standards to which you are duty bound to adhere. No ifs, buts or maybes! Along the way, I also provide you with some useful tips on how to apply the NES to suit both your employees and your small business.

If you operate an unincorporated small business in Western Australia, you aren’t a national system employer and the NES, national minimum wage and modern awards don’t apply. Instead, Western Australian state awards and minimum conditions apply to your business and your employees. I explain how to work out whether the national ...