Published Monday, 16 April, 2007 at 10:31 AM
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
TECHNOLOGY TO AID YOUNG WORKERS NAVIGATING THE WORKPLACE
The Queensland Government has funded a new technological tool to help young people negotiating work pay and conditions.
Employment and Industrial Relations Minister John Mickel said a new interactive CD, produced by the Young Workers Advisory Service, informs young workers about their rights in the workplace, develops an awareness of negotiation skills and provides information about where to go if they have questions about their employment situation.
The Young Workers Advisory Service is funded by the Queensland Department of Employment and Industrial Relations to provide young people under 25 with advice on work matters. The service provides young people with free and confidential information, advice, advocacy and support on all employment issues.
“Increasingly, negotiation is becoming a central part of our working lives, particularly since the federal Government introduced Work Choices 27,” Mr Mickel said.
“Now, the employment relationship has moved toward a more individualised system where employees are increasingly responsible for bargaining for their own interests.
“While many employees will remain covered by the award system where fair terms and conditions of employment are already determined by union and employer negotiations, an increasing number of workers are being asked to negotiate their own wages, leave entitlements and other employment conditions.
“Young workers are more vulnerable at the workplace because of their inexperience, less developed skills and lack of knowledge of industrial relations. And Work Choices is complex enough, with much confusion about what industrial instruments applies to which employees.”
Mr Mickel said it was appropriate the CD was being launched in Youth Week, saying it was now available from YWAS on 1800 232 000 at no cost.
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784.
April 16, 2007
Employment and Industrial Relations Minister John Mickel said a new interactive CD, produced by the Young Workers Advisory Service, informs young workers about their rights in the workplace, develops an awareness of negotiation skills and provides information about where to go if they have questions about their employment situation.
The Young Workers Advisory Service is funded by the Queensland Department of Employment and Industrial Relations to provide young people under 25 with advice on work matters. The service provides young people with free and confidential information, advice, advocacy and support on all employment issues.
“Increasingly, negotiation is becoming a central part of our working lives, particularly since the federal Government introduced Work Choices 27,” Mr Mickel said.
“Now, the employment relationship has moved toward a more individualised system where employees are increasingly responsible for bargaining for their own interests.
“While many employees will remain covered by the award system where fair terms and conditions of employment are already determined by union and employer negotiations, an increasing number of workers are being asked to negotiate their own wages, leave entitlements and other employment conditions.
“Young workers are more vulnerable at the workplace because of their inexperience, less developed skills and lack of knowledge of industrial relations. And Work Choices is complex enough, with much confusion about what industrial instruments applies to which employees.”
Mr Mickel said it was appropriate the CD was being launched in Youth Week, saying it was now available from YWAS on 1800 232 000 at no cost.
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784.
April 16, 2007