Employment

The Tourism Industry Association (TIA)'s employment policy submissions

Holidays Amendment Bill
17 September 2010
A submission had been made by TIA to Parliament on proposed changes to the Holidays Act.  The main changes include the ability of employees to cash in their fourth week’s leave, an averaging formula for calculating holiday and sick pay, transferring public holidays, medical certificates for sick leave and increases in penalties for non-compliance.

OUTCOMES: The Bill was passed allowing employees to cash in a fourth week’s leave and transfer public holidays.  A simpler calculation has also been introduced to calculate average daily pay. 

Employment Relations Amendment Bill (No 2)
September 2010
TIA has submitted to Parliament on the Employment Relations Amendment Bill (No 2) that extends the 90 day probationary employment period to workplaces of more than 20 staff and clarifies rules relating to union access and collective bargaining. 

OUTCOME: The Bill was passed extending the 90 day probationary period to workplaces of more than 20 staff.

Employment Relations (Rest and Meal Breaks) Amendment Bill
June 2010
TIA has lodged a submission to Parliament in support of the government’s proposals to bring more flexibility into the rest and meal break provisions of the Employment Relations Act.

OUTCOME: The Bill was passed introducing more flexibility around rest and meal break provisions which will make it easier for tourism businesses, especially those in the adventure sector.

 Holidays Act
August 2009
Following extensive feedback from members, TIA has lodged a submission with the Department of Labour on the review of the Holidays Act.  Included in the submission are results from the member survey, as well as comment on some of the key aspects of the Review, namely the calculation of relevant daily pay, the trading of the fourth week’s holiday for cash and the transfer of public holidays.  Please read our submission below.

OUTCOMES: Following extensive feedback from members, TIA lodged a submission on the review of the Holidays Act.  In changes announced by the government in July 2010, relevant daily pay calculations were simplified, employees may cash in a week's leave and more flexibility now exists to transfer public holidays.

Employment Relations (Breaks and Infant Feeding) Amendment Bill
May 2008
The government is reviewing employment relations law and is proposing to introduce mandatory rest and meal break periods into the workplace. A plan to require employers to provide facilities for infant feeding at work is also proposed. TIA believes the legislation for rest and meal breaks is unnecessary but it supports facilities for feeding infants at work where it is reasonable and practicable to do so.
 

Click here to access earlier Policy submissions from 2007 back to 2001.